Bessy
A diminutive of the female given name Elizabeth; today more often spelled Bessie.
Every Bessy since 1914 — 334 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Bessy
Bessy is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #15,308 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1914, 334 American babies have been named Bessy. Its peak came in 2001, when 13 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
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 Bessy stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Bessy year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | #15,308 |
| 2024 | 6 | #13,746 |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | 7 | #12,448 |
| 2021 | 9 | #10,428 |
| 2020 | 10 | #9,664 |
| 2019 | 5 | #15,919 |
| 2018 | 8 | #11,582 |
| 2017 | 9 | #10,830 |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | 9 | #11,032 |
| 2014 | 9 | #11,127 |
| 2013 | 6 | #14,907 |
| 2012 | 6 | #15,267 |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | 6 | #15,265 |
| 2009 | 6 | #15,540 |
| 2008 | 8 | #12,764 |
| 2007 | 11 | #10,234 |
| 2006 | 12 | #9,382 |
| 2005 | 9 | #11,056 |
| 2004 | 11 | #9,351 |
| 2003 | 9 | #10,548 |
| 2002 | 8 | #11,284 |
| 2001 | 13 | #7,797 |
| 2000 | 6 | #13,390 |
| 1995 | 5 | #13,683 |
| 1990 | 6 | #11,561 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | 6 | #9,206 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,079 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | 5 | #4,428 |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bessy mean?
A diminutive of the female given name Elizabeth; today more often spelled Bessie.
How popular is the name Bessy in 2025?
Bessy ranked #15,308 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Bessy?
334 babies have been named Bessy in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Bessy most popular?
Bessy peaked in 2001, when 13 newborns received the name.
Is Bessy a boy or girl name?
Bessy is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Bessy rising or falling?
Bessy is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.