Betty is a name of English origin that has been popular throughout the centuries. It is a diminutive form of Elizabeth, which means "God is my oath" in Hebrew. The name Betty has been used as an independent given name since the 16th century and was originally more common among the lower classes than the upper classes. However, it gained popularity among all social classes in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, where it became one of the most popular names for girls during the mid-century period. Today, Betty is still a widely recognized name that evokes images of classic Hollywood stars and iconic figures from popular culture.
The name Betty has a rich history and evolution in popularity over the years in the United States. In the late 19th century, Betty was a relatively uncommon name, with fewer than 200 births per year between 1880 and 1890. However, the early 20th century saw a significant increase in its popularity, with over 1,000 babies named Betty each year from 1910 onwards.
The peak of Betty's popularity occurred in the 1920s and 1930s, during which time it was consistently one of the top ten most popular names for girls. In 1924 alone, over 30,000 babies were named Betty, making it the second most popular name that year. This trend continued throughout the 1940s and 1950s, although its popularity began to wane slightly during this time.
By the mid-1960s, Betty had fallen out of the top ten names for girls but remained relatively common, with several hundred births per year. However, starting in the late 1970s and continuing through the early 2000s, Betty's popularity declined significantly. By 2000, fewer than 200 babies were named Betty each year.
In recent years, there has been a small resurgence in popularity for the name Betty. Between 2016 and 2023, the number of births per year with this name has hovered between 150 and 250, indicating that while it may not be as popular as it once was, Betty remains a classic and enduring choice for parents.
Overall, the name Betty has a total of 100,075 births recorded in the United States since 1880. Its popularity has waxed and waned over time, but its status as a beloved and timeless name is evident in its consistent appearance among birth records year after year.