The Meaning of the Name Betsy
Betsy is a diminutive form of the name Elizabeth, which is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheva. The meaning of Elisheva is “God is my oath” or “God is abundance.” It is also believed to be related to the Greek word elpis, which means “hope.”
History and Popularity of the Name Betsy
The name Betsy has been in use since the 16th century, but it was not until the 18th century that it became popular in England and America. In the United States, Betsy was one of the top 100 names for girls from 1880 to 1940. It has since fallen out of favor, but it remains a popular choice among parents who are looking for an old-fashioned name with a strong meaning.
Famous People Named Betsy
There have been many famous people named Betsy throughout history, including:
- Betsy Ross (1752-1836), credited with making the first American flag
- Betsy DeVos (born 1958), U.S. Secretary of Education under President Donald Trump
- Betsy Blair (1923-2009), American actress best known for her roles in Marty and The Man with the Golden Arm
- Betsy King (born 1956), professional golfer and six-time major champion
- Betsy Byars (born 1928), American author of children’s books such as Summer of the Swans and The Night Swimmers.
Conclusion
The name Betsy is a diminutive form of Elizabeth, which means “God is my oath” or “God is abundance.” It has been in use since the 16th century and was once a very popular choice for baby girls in America. There have been many famous people named Betsy throughout history, including Betsy Ross, Betsy DeVos, and Betsy Byars.