What Does the Name Betty Mean?
Betty is a girl's name of Hebrew (via English) origin meaning “God is my oath.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Betty |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Hebrew (via English) |
| Meaning | God is my oath |
| Variants | Elizabeth, Bettie, Bette, Beth, Betsy |
| Popularity | A top 5 US girls' name in the 1920s-1930s |
The meaning and origin of Betty
The name Betty means “God is my oath” and has Hebrew (via English) origins. A diminutive of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheva meaning 'God is my oath,' that became a widely used independent name in the early 20th century.
Variants and related names
Betty is related to several other names you may recognize: Elizabeth, Bettie, Bette, Beth, Betsy. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Betty?
A top 5 US girls' name in the 1920s-1930s
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Betty mean?+
The name Betty means “God is my oath” and is of Hebrew (via English) origin.
What is the origin of the name Betty?+
Betty originates from Hebrew (via English).
Is Betty a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Betty has trended in the US over time.
Betty by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press