Bettye is a unique and distinctive name of English origin that was derived from the Old English word "Beorthelm" or "Beorthelem." The name Beorthelm consists of two elements: "beorht," which means "bright" or "famous," and "-helm," which signifies "helmet" or "protection."
Over time, the name evolved and shortened to become Betty, a popular name in English-speaking countries during the Middle Ages. The name Bettye is a variant spelling of Betty that adds an extra "e" at the end, giving it a more playful or distinctive sound.
While Betty was traditionally given to girls, in recent years, Bettye has been used for both boys and girls. This versatility makes Bettye a unique choice for parents seeking a unisex name with a touch of vintage charm.
One notable figure named Bettye is Bettye LaVette, an American soul singer known for her powerful vocals and emotional performances. Her given name was not Bettye but Elnora Fairman, which she changed to Bettye LaVette in the 1960s before starting her music career.
In literature, there is a character named Bettye in "The Land of Oz" series by L. Frank Baum. This character appears as one of the Munchkin girls in the first book, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," and later has a more significant role in subsequent novels.
Overall, Bettye is an attractive name with an interesting history, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for a distinctive yet timeless name for their child. Its meaning, associated with brightness and protection, adds to its appeal as a strong and meaningful name option.
The statistics provided show the annual number of babies named Bettye born in the United States from 1930 to 1942. During this period, there was a total of 47 babies named Bettye born each year.
The years with the highest number of births were 1932 and 1940, with 7 and 8 babies respectively being given the name Bettye. The lowest number of births occurred in 1935 and 1941, with only 5 babies named Bettye each year.
These statistics provide insight into the popularity of the name Bettye during this specific time period in the United States. However, it's important to note that these numbers are quite low compared to the total number of births each year during this time period, indicating that Bettye was not a very common name.