The Meaning of the Name Bess
Bess is a name with English origins. It is derived from the name Elizabeth, which means “God is my oath” or “God is abundance”. The name Bess is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and has been used as an independent given name since the 19th century.
History and Origin
The name Elizabeth has Hebrew origins and was first recorded in the Bible. It was popularized by Queen Elizabeth I of England, who reigned from 1558 to 1603. The name Bess is believed to have originated as a pet form of Elizabeth in Scotland during the 16th century. It was later adopted by English speakers in the 19th century.
Popularity
Bess was most popular in the United States during the early 20th century, when it ranked among the top 500 names for girls. However, its popularity has declined significantly since then and it is now rarely used as a given name. In 2019, it did not rank among the top 1,000 names for girls in the United States.
Famous People Named Bess
There are several famous people who have been given the name Bess, including:
- Bess Truman (1885-1982), wife of U.S. President Harry S. Truman
- Bess Myerson (1924-2014), American beauty queen and television personality
- Bess Armstrong (born 1953), American actress
- Bess Houdini (1876-1943), wife of magician Harry Houdini
Variations of the Name Bess
Variations of the name Bess include: Besse, Bessa, Bessey, Bessie, Betsey, Betsy and Betty.
