Betsy
From the clipping of Elizabeth + -sy (hypocoristic suffix).
Every Betsy since 1880 — 48,957 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Betsy
Betsy is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #2,724 in 2025 with 63 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 48,957 American babies have been named Betsy. Its peak came in 1959, when 1,390 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
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 Betsy stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Betsy year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 63 | #2,724 | — | — |
| 2024 | 75 | #2,417 | — | — |
| 2023 | 77 | #2,356 | — | — |
| 2022 | 85 | #2,212 | — | — |
| 2021 | 67 | #2,593 | — | — |
| 2020 | 89 | #2,069 | — | — |
| 2019 | 92 | #2,057 | — | — |
| 2018 | 94 | #2,062 | — | — |
| 2017 | 96 | #2,040 | — | — |
| 2016 | 106 | #1,900 | — | — |
| 2015 | 125 | #1,696 | — | — |
| 2014 | 134 | #1,605 | — | — |
| 2013 | 134 | #1,603 | — | — |
| 2012 | 139 | #1,567 | — | — |
| 2011 | 130 | #1,646 | — | — |
| 2010 | 154 | #1,470 | — | — |
| 2009 | 160 | #1,453 | — | — |
| 2008 | 219 | #1,170 | — | — |
| 2007 | 247 | #1,060 | — | — |
| 2006 | 370 | #747 | — | — |
| 2005 | 119 | #1,672 | — | — |
| 2004 | 153 | #1,369 | — | — |
| 2003 | 133 | #1,467 | — | — |
| 2002 | 123 | #1,536 | — | — |
| 2001 | 124 | #1,508 | — | — |
| 2000 | 157 | #1,245 | — | — |
| 1995 | 170 | #1,055 | — | — |
| 1990 | 281 | #740 | — | — |
| 1985 | 399 | #507 | — | — |
| 1980 | 536 | #413 | — | — |
| 1975 | 512 | #398 | — | — |
| 1970 | 492 | #446 | — | — |
| 1965 | 932 | #287 | — | — |
| 1960 | 1,252 | #247 | — | — |
| 1955 | 984 | #275 | — | — |
| 1950 | 890 | #254 | — | — |
| 1945 | 651 | #266 | — | — |
| 1940 | 607 | #255 | — | — |
| 1935 | 384 | #322 | — | — |
| 1930 | 361 | #349 | — | — |
| 1925 | 284 | #407 | — | — |
| 1920 | 183 | #519 | — | — |
| 1915 | 77 | #753 | — | — |
| 1910 | 36 | #705 | — | — |
| 1905 | 17 | #904 | — | — |
| 1900 | 24 | #745 | — | — |
| 1895 | 17 | #774 | — | — |
| 1890 | 13 | #761 | — | — |
| 1885 | 13 | #612 | — | — |
| 1880 | 14 | #451 | — | — |
Famous people named Betsy
- Betsy Ross Celebrity · 1752–1836
- Betsy Palmer Actor · 1926–2015
- Betsy Blair Actor · 1923–2009
- Betsy Brandt Actor · b. 1976
- Betsy DeVos Politician · b. 1958
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Betsy mean?
From the clipping of Elizabeth + -sy (hypocoristic suffix).
How popular is the name Betsy in 2025?
Betsy ranked #2,724 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 63 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Betsy?
48,957 babies have been named Betsy in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Betsy most popular?
Betsy peaked in 1959, when 1,390 newborns received the name.
Is Betsy a boy or girl name?
Betsy is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Betsy rising or falling?
Betsy is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Betsy?
Well-known people named Betsy include Betsy Ross (celebrity), Betsy Palmer (actor), Betsy Blair (actor).