Betty
Peaked at #2 nationally in 1928, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Betty has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Betty originated as a diminutive of Elizabeth, which comes from the Hebrew Elisheva, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance." It broke away from its parent name to become a popular given name in its own right during the early 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Notable people & culture
Actress and comedian Betty White became a beloved American icon over a career spanning eight decades, while Betty Ford, wife of President Gerald Ford, was known for her openness about addiction recovery and her role in founding the Betty Ford Center. Actress Betty Grable was one of the most popular pin-up stars of the 1940s. The name was among the most common for American girls born in the 1920s and 1930s.
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Betty — Girls (United States)
RisingPeak rank
#2
in 1928
Current rank
#1008
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Rising
Tracked since 1880, Betty reached its peak popularity for girls in 1928, ranking #2 nationally with 36,083 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #1240 (2014) to #1008 (2024) — a 19% improvement.
As of 2024, Betty ranks #1008 nationally for girls, with 253 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #1,008 | 253 |
| 2023 | #1,184 | 202 |
| 2022 | #1,157 | 210 |
| 2021 | #1,189 | 205 |
| 2020 | #1,176 | 197 |
| 2019 | #1,383 | 162 |
| 2018 | #1,131 | 216 |
| 2017 | #1,319 | 177 |
Betty — Boys (United States)
StablePeak rank
#429
in 1932
Last ranked
#6514
in 1988
Years tracked
75
1904–1988
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1904, Betty reached its peak popularity for boys in 1932, ranking #429 nationally with 169 babies given the name that year.
Betty hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 1988, when it stood at #6514.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | #6,514 | 6 |
| 1987 | #7,068 | 5 |
| 1985 | #6,627 | 5 |
| 1983 | #5,554 | 6 |
| 1981 | #5,006 | 7 |
| 1977 | #5,934 | 5 |
| 1976 | #4,992 | 6 |
| 1975 | #3,985 | 8 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Betty most popular?
Betty was most popular in 1928, when it ranked #2 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Betty becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently rising; for boys, it's currently stable, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Betty?
At least 1,004,638 babies have been recorded with the name Betty in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
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