Betty is a name of English origin that has been popular throughout the centuries. It is a diminutive form of Elizabeth, which means "God is my oath" in Hebrew. The name Betty has been used as an independent given name since the 16th century and was originally more common among the lower classes than the upper classes. However, it gained popularity among all social classes in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, where it became one of the most popular names for girls during the mid-century period. Today, Betty is still a widely recognized name that evokes images of classic Hollywood stars and iconic figures from popular culture.
The statistics provided show the annual births of the name Betty in the United States from 1880 to 2023. The data reveals a fascinating trend over time.
In the late 19th century, around 100-200 babies named Betty were born each year. However, the number began to rise significantly at the turn of the century, reaching nearly 700 births in 1904 and exceeding 1000 births annually from 1910 onwards.
The peak of popularity for the name Betty occurred between the 1920s and early 1930s. During this period, over 30,000 babies were named Betty each year, with a record-breaking number of 36,675 births in 1929. This high popularity can be attributed to several factors such as the influence of popular culture and societal trends.
However, like many names, Betty's popularity began to decline after World War II. By the mid-1950s, fewer than 10,000 babies were named Betty each year. The trend continued downward throughout the remainder of the century, with only a few hundred Bet