Bess is a unique and intriguing given name with origins traced back to France. It is a diminutive form of the French name Elisabeth or Isabelle. These names are derived from the Hebrew name Elizabeth, which means "God is my oath" or "God is abundance."
The name Bess has been used throughout history, often among royalty and aristocracy. One notable example is Bess of Hardwick, born Elizabeth Shrewsbury in 1527, who was an English noblewoman known for her marriages to four successive husbands. She was also a prominent landowner and builder of Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire.
The name Bess has also been popularized through literature and music. In the novel "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë, the character John Reed calls his sister Elizabeth "Bess." Additionally, the song "Bess, You Is My Woman Now" from the musical "Porgy and Bess" has contributed to the name's familiarity.
Today, Bess is still a beloved name chosen by parents for its unique sound and historical significance. While it may not be as common as some other names, those who bear this name carry with them a rich history and distinctive character.
The name Bess has a fascinating history of popularity and frequency in the United States over the years. Between 1880 and 2022, there have been a total of 7165 births with the name Bess recorded.
Looking at the annual statistics from 1880 onwards, we can observe that the peak years for the name Bess were between 1886 and 1892. During these years, over 150 births per year were recorded, with a high of 177 births in both 1892 and 1894.
However, after the early 1900s, the popularity of the name Bess began to decline significantly. Between 1903 and 1967, there were only 20 or fewer births per year with the name Bess. The lowest point was in 1968 when there were only 8 recorded births.
From the late 1970s onwards, the popularity of the name Bess started to fluctuate again. There were peaks in 1981 (38 births) and 1984 (38 births), but these were followed by periods of lower popularity once more.
More recently, between 2005 and 2022, there have been between 5 and 16 recorded births per year with the name Bess. This shows that while Bess may not be one of the most popular names today, it continues to be chosen for newborn girls in the United States.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate the interesting journey of the name Bess over time in the United States. While it was quite popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s, its popularity has waxed and waned since then. Nonetheless, Bess remains a unique and historic name choice for parents today.