Besse
Every Besse since 1880 — 671 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Besse
Besse is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 671 American babies have been named Besse. Its peak came in 1889, when 39 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the late 1800s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Besse stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Besse year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | 5 | #5,058 |
| 1920 | 7 | #4,005 |
| 1915 | 9 | #2,926 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | 5 | #1,966 |
| 1900 | 20 | #835 |
| 1895 | 31 | #530 |
| 1890 | 37 | #415 |
| 1885 | 23 | #439 |
| 1880 | 10 | #549 |
Famous people named Besse
- Besse Cooper Politician · 1896–2012
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Besse in 2025?
Besse did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Besse?
671 babies have been named Besse in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Besse most popular?
Besse peaked in 1889, when 39 newborns received the name.
Is Besse a boy or girl name?
Besse is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Besse rising or falling?
Besse has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Besse?
Well-known people named Besse include Besse Cooper (politician).