Betsey
A diminutive of the female given name Elizabeth.
Every Betsey since 1884 — 2,481 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Betsey
Betsey 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 1884, 2,481 American babies have been named Betsey. Its peak came in 1942, when 62 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
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 Betsey stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Betsey 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 | 5 | #15,690 |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | 5 | #16,278 |
| 2016 | 5 | #16,654 |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | 5 | #16,971 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | 5 | #17,310 |
| 2011 | 11 | #9,829 |
| 2010 | 5 | #17,437 |
| 2009 | 9 | #11,606 |
| 2008 | 5 | #17,957 |
| 2007 | 5 | #18,049 |
| 2006 | 7 | #13,810 |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | 6 | #14,453 |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | 6 | #13,754 |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 11 | #7,360 |
| 1985 | 16 | #4,646 |
| 1980 | 25 | #3,329 |
| 1975 | 23 | #3,064 |
| 1970 | 23 | #2,943 |
| 1965 | 23 | #2,549 |
| 1960 | 37 | #1,856 |
| 1955 | 28 | #2,026 |
| 1950 | 38 | #1,497 |
| 1945 | 58 | #1,015 |
| 1940 | 42 | #1,117 |
| 1935 | 23 | #1,553 |
| 1930 | 16 | #2,120 |
| 1925 | 25 | #1,702 |
| 1920 | 16 | #2,283 |
| 1915 | 12 | #2,401 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | 6 | #1,750 |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | 10 | #877 |
| 1885 | 5 | #1,063 |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Betsey mean?
A diminutive of the female given name Elizabeth.
How popular is the name Betsey in 2025?
Betsey 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 Betsey?
2,481 babies have been named Betsey in the United States since 1884, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Betsey most popular?
Betsey peaked in 1942, when 62 newborns received the name.
Is Betsey a boy or girl name?
Betsey is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Betsey rising or falling?
Betsey is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.