The name Betty

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2007
The name Betty
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Sun, 04-01-2007 - 5:07pm
I'm due August 3rd and my husband and I have chosen Betty for our baby's name. She'll be named after my paternal grandmother, whom I am VERY close to.
Issue is, we've gotten some pretty bad feedback on the name when even mentioning it casually.
I personally think it's classic, cute, easy to say and spell, and honors a woman very important to me.
Thoughts on the name?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2004
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 5:32pm
I think Betty is sweet... although I think people's negative reactions are to its perceived datedness. It seems that the 100-year-old names are coming back in but not the 70-year-old ones yet, so really you're ahead of the curve. The only issue I have is that Betty is definitely a nickname, and that Elizabeth with the nickname Betty might be a more distinguished choice that would give her more options as she grows up. jmo.
Good luck,
Valerie
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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2007
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 5:39pm
I understand what you mean, but my grandmother's name is Betty...not Elizabeth. Her given name is Betty, and I really don't care for the name Elizabeth as it is.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-13-2005
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 6:58pm
I like the name Betty. My aunt has this name.
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Avatar for prifti
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Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 8:39pm
I think it is so refreshing! I love it to honor a family member to me honoring a family member and changing the name defeats the purpose so I prefer Betty to Elizabeth. If she wants something older sounding when she grows up she could shorten it to Bette.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2005
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 8:51pm

It's perfect, I agree completely with everything you said. Definitely use it.

-Nikki


                             
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 11:24pm

Honestly? I love Betty ... but only as a nn.

It is a bit "old-fashioned," but I think the given names it's often a pet form of would be considered classic, KWIM? Besides Elizabeth, I also like it as a nn for Beatrix/Beatrice, and I've noticed that it seems to be too "old-ladyish" for many's taste. I think you'll find many interested in names and naming trends will find it a lovely and refreshing choice (even if they prefer a more formal given name), but others unfamiliar or uninterested in such things will likely seem a bit surprised at first. But then, these are often the same who find Madison, Emily and Jadon *new* and *interesting* choices. ;)

Of course, as I mentioned above, many will also find Betty as a given name along the same lines as Abby, Timmy or Bobby (all fine diminutive forms, but not quite as formal as their traditional counterparts). So that may also contribute to the negative feedback you've received.

I do love that the name is for someone so close to you, btw. Was her given name Betty? I'm assuming it is, and can understand wanting to pass on the same exact name (though if you wanted, using Betty as a nn would still be in her honor).

I am sorry you got some bad comments on your choice, FWIW. In the future, you might avoid telling those people any names you're considering. ;)

HTH


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Avatar for 3togetready
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-19-1999
Mon, 04-02-2007 - 1:36am
Our 12 year old neighbor is named Betty after her grandmother too. Her nn is Bette. She is the only one at school with the name Betty. If you like the name use it. It doesn't matter what other people think about it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2003
Mon, 04-02-2007 - 12:15pm

I'm sorry, I can't see it in today's era at all. it's just really really dated to like the 40s/50s, maybe some 60s - I see it as outdated, not classic/traditional - and the Betty Boop connection too.

I just can't recommend it. and I think you will get raised eyebrows, just not that people dislike it, I think they'll just be surprised because it's so passe

sorry, but good luck

Avatar for elvrp
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2003
Mon, 04-02-2007 - 3:11pm

My DH and a few friends call me Betty occasionally. It's kind of a sweet pet name & although I hated it as a kid (I was always called Beth, but my mother & grandmother were Betty's and I didn't like it), it's growing on me. Of course we're all officially named Elizabeth which I still prefer because there's so much you could do with it if you outgrow your nn from childhood.
I never would have thought that Eleanor would make a comeback, but it has. I also have a friend who named her daughter Francis, which I still don't love, but it has grown on her just fine & I now that I'm used to it, I don't think "ugh, what a bad name" anymore, lol.
I think Betty is great (although I'd name her Elizabeth & call her Betty, but if your grandmother's formal name is Betty I can see why you wouldn't want to change it.)
In the end, don't worry about what others say. Unless you're naming your kid Dracula or something, people's personal preferences are just that.

Beth - mommy to Ayden 03/23/02, Owen 06/23/04, & Eliz

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-14-2003
Mon, 04-02-2007 - 5:29pm
Initially, I have to say that I don't like it. It's a name, however, that I MIGHT get used to & come to like ... like Ruby, Lucy, etc.

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