Betty is a classic English girls' name that has been used for generations. Its origin can be traced back to the Middle Ages when it was first used as a diminutive of Elizabeth, which means "God is my oath" in Hebrew. Betty was also often used as a nickname for other names such as Beatrice and Bethany.
The name Betty gained popularity during the Victorian era in England, but it fell out of favor in the mid-20th century. However, it has experienced something of a resurgence in recent years, with many parents choosing to use this timeless name for their daughters once again.
Throughout history, there have been many notable people named Betty, from Betty Boop, the iconic animated character created by Max Fleischer in 1932, to Betty Shabazz, the widow of Malcolm X and a prominent civil rights activist. Other famous Bettys include Betty Friedan, an influential feminist writer, and Betty White, the legendary American actress known for her roles on television shows such as The Golden Girls.
Overall, Betty is a name with a rich history and a timeless appeal that continues to be popular among parents today. Its origins may be rooted in the past, but its meaning remains relevant and meaningful for those who choose this classic name for their daughters.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe several trends related to the popularity of the name Betty in the United States from 1904 to 1988.
The name Betty first appeared in the top 1000 baby names list in 1904 with only 8 births that year. It remained relatively uncommon until the early 1920s when its popularity started to rise. In 1923, there were 56 births with the name Betty, marking a significant increase from previous years.
The popularity of the name Betty peaked in the late 1920s and early 1930s, reaching an all-time high in 1932 with 169 births. This trend continued until around 1947 when the number of babies named Betty began to decline steadily.
By the mid-1950s, the popularity of the name Betty had decreased significantly, with only 36 births recorded in 1954. It continued to decline throughout the following decades, reaching its lowest point in recent history in 1976 and 1988 with just 5 and 6 births respectively.
In total, between 1904 and 1988, there were 3,619 babies named Betty born in the United States. These statistics demonstrate how the popularity of the name Betty has varied over time, experiencing periods of high popularity followed by periods of decline.