Betty?

[kitcat1977]

Our little girl, Elizabeth, is now 7 weeks old. We love her full name, but both sort of assumed that she'd get our own personal favourite shortened version. DH prefers Lizzie which I think is a bit ordinary, and I love Betty, which he thinks is too Frank Spencer. I know, I know, we should have had this out before she was born

We've finally decided that she can be Betty, but I just wanted to check out other people's reactions. Both DH and dad have said she'll get 'Betty Swollocks' or 'Sweaty Betty'. Am I being cruel nameing her Betty?

[MilkNoSugarPlease]

Personally I love Bessie for a shortened Elizabeth but Betty is good to!

Prefere Betty to Beth aswell!

[MilkNoSugarPlease]

Oh wow! that was the least helpful post ever written!

[southeastastra]

reminds me of mad men at the moment, so i would think it pretty cool

[Magaly]

Yuck.

Not sure why I hate it because I love Lottie. So Betty shouldn't be so awful?

But it is. Betty Swollocks, sweaty betty, UGLY betty.

Just leave it alone and choose a nice name!!

Betsy is better. WOuldn't pick it but it's a lot better.

In this order

Betsy
Lizzie



Betty.

[LetThereBeRock]

I love the name Elizabeth but hate the nickname Betty. It isn't a very attractive nickname.

[Kneazle]

I love the name Elizabeth and like the shortenings Eliza Liza Libby Lizzy and Beth but not Betty for all the reasons stated above.

[LittleBoPeeps]

Going against the grain but I LOVE Betty and think it would be very cute for a little girl. Probably like it so much because I had an 'auntie' Betty when I was younger (sadly passed away) who was just the loveliest person, but also it's much more distinctive than Lizzie which IMO is a good thing.

[mountainmonkey]

Just reminds me of my Gran- she was a Betty

[kitcat1977]

Hmmm, mixed reviews. Thanks for your input, keep it coming! I'm thinking more along the lines of cool reclaimed name - love old lady names.

[florence2511]

I can't stand it but that's only because I know a Betty and she's a miserable old goat!!

I like Lizzie, Beth, Bessie, Eliza and Libby as nn's for Elizabeth.

[dizzydixies]

I prefer Betsy or Lissie or Beth tbh

[Jenbot]

Like it FAR more than Liz which is not offensive in any way, but soooooooo humdrum. Betty is cute and different.

[Lovethesea]

Don't like Betty at all - love Beth though

[trumpton]

Queen Elizabeth was always called Lillibet.
I think it's really lovely.
Like Betsy, Beth and Lizzie altho I was called Lizziedripping if i was a bit moody as a child.

[TheFallenMadonna]

I like Betty. My favourite nn for Elizabeth is Bess, then Lizzie. I have a completely irrational hatred of Beth, probably related to Little Women...

[kando]

I hope you're not being cruel naming her Betty - that's my dd3's nickname (she's 4). And we do the "ooooh Betty" thing ala Frank Spencer but of course she doesn't "get it"!! Go for it! I considered Elsie as her nn but noone else in the family liked it (still love it though).

[magbags]

I LOVE the name Betty - a gorgeous little girl in my dd's nursery class is called Betty and I now partly associate the name with her. I also had a great Aunt Betty who was a force to be reckoned with lol - she was the most fantastic woman. If I had another dd I would strongly consider naming her Betty . Good luck!

[Whelk]

I like Betsy.

[PartialToACupOfMilo]

I immediately thought Frank Spencer I'm afraid, but, as kando points out, younger people are unlikely to think of that.

I much prefer Libby, Lizzie and Beth, but those are much more common.

I don't like Betsy or Bess either - they sound like horses' names to me

[lilolilmanchester]

well, you can give her whichever shortened name you like now, but when she's (not that much) older, the choice won't be yours, ultimately she or her pals will decide. With a name like Elizabeth, the shortened version/nickname could change more than once.........

[GladioliBuckets]

I like Betty, has 1940s Hollywood glamour. Was on my shortlist but short for Bettany (I prefer nicknames that begin with the same letter as the name for some reason.)

[GladioliBuckets]

Or Bette.

[Valinor]

I can't see a problem with Betty. For me it's no different to Molly, Polly, Poppy etc.

I slightly prefer Betsy or Bessie, but that's personal preference.

There are so many nn's for Elizabeth. Have you considered the others?

Beth
Bette
Lillibet
Ellie
Bess
Lisa
Eliza
Libby
Elsie
Liz
Lily
Bella
Belle
E lsa
Izzy
Ibbie
Ilse
Lilo
Isa
Lys
Lissy
Betta
Elise
Elle

[PurplePillow]

I have a Bethany and her favourite aunt is the only one who gets away with calling her Betty (as Betty Boop/ Boo (monsters inc)).

Kids at school have tried to shorten her name to Beth which I quite like but she hates it

I am sure as your lo gets older she will sort it out for herself

[4andnotout]

My mil is Betty so it has spoilt the name for me

I think Lillibet, Betsy, Liza, are all nicer than Betty.