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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Beth, Bethan or Bethany?

38 replies

Ariabanana · 20/11/2018 15:50

Do you think Beth needs a full name? We want to call dd2 Beth, but are unsure whether to make it short for Bethany/Bethan, or to just call her Beth!

I’m not quite sure how I feel about Bethany - it seems a bit little girly. I think I prefer Bethan, but we have no Welsh connections so I’m not sure if it would be a bit strange.

Which would you go for?

(Dd2 is called Laura if that’s relevant.)

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CloserIAm2Fine · 22/11/2018 22:23

Elizabeth is probably my favourite ever girls name, although I prefer Libby as a shortening

Bethan is lovely, but I’m in Wales where it’s pretty popular. I’m not sure if you’d get people trying to add a y in England? But that wouldn’t be a problem if she’s known as Beth anyway

RavenWings · 22/11/2018 20:17

Tbqh I don't see why you can't use Bethan if you're not Welsh. There are plenty of non-Irish (or very loosely linked) people using Niamh, Aisling, Aoife, Cara etc.

RavenWings · 22/11/2018 20:15

Bethany, if not that then Bethan. I don't like Beth, it seems unfinished.

chequeplease · 22/11/2018 19:12

I love Beth and think it stands alone.
Have you considered Bethia?

Temerity123 · 22/11/2018 18:53

I like Beth on its own or Elizabeth (not a massive fan of Elizabeth but it’s a good name to be able to shorten I think). I don’t like Bethan or Bethany. I taught a lot of girls called Bethany at primary school about 12-15 years ago. They’ll all be about 20ish by now, so it seems quite dated - a name that was popular for babies in the mid-late 90s that hasn’t been out of fashion long enough to be revived yet.

bridgetreilly · 22/11/2018 17:34

I like Bethan much more than Bethany. If you don't want Elizabeth, I would choose Bethan.

Astronica · 22/11/2018 13:22

I love Bethan, and think it would be a great choice. It works beautifully as a sister for Laura. That being said though I also think just Beth as is also works well. Bethany is nice too though.

Liverpool23 · 22/11/2018 10:57

Bethan 200% (no guesses on what my name is!) :)

mushforbrain · 21/11/2018 16:51

My DD’s middle name is Bethan. We love it. It’s a bit different, although I think Beth and Bethany are underused beautiful names. The only ‘Welsh connection’ we have is that me and DH met at uni in Wales, but it’s an important enough link for us!

Belindabauer · 21/11/2018 16:51

I prefer Bethany but if you don't like it just call her Beth.

Nanasueathome · 21/11/2018 16:39

My daughter is Beth
No shortening
Beth on her birth certificate
She’s 40, by the way

AliCanTea · 21/11/2018 16:38

I know a Beth and it's never occurred to me it might be a shortening!

Siannybobs · 21/11/2018 16:29

I love the name Bethan!

SpottingTheZebras · 21/11/2018 16:27

I do like Elizabeth, but unfortunately my sister has a six year old Elizabeth.
She’s known as Lizzie most of the time, but I think it would still be a bit weird.
if they had the same name. Especially if dd when a bit older decided she didn’t like Beth and wanted to be known as Lizzie!

By that logic, surely your niece could decide she wants to be called Beth at any point. Would that be too weird for you to deal with?

SumAndSubstance · 21/11/2018 16:24

I know twins called Laura and Bethan! I like Bethan much more than Bethany for some reason.

Icklepup · 21/11/2018 11:19

Bethan!

RedDwarves · 21/11/2018 01:01

Elizabeth is nicer than Beth, Bethan or Bethany. You could still use Beth.

Messalena · 20/11/2018 23:49

I like just Beth on its own best. If you want to call her Beth, call her Beth! It’s a perfectly reasonable and well-established full name in its own right.

sweetkitty · 20/11/2018 22:42

I was struggling with a name for DD3, had the same discussion one day with my friends came home told DH and he said thats her name Bethany.

She’s 10 now and we’ve only ever had very positive comments about her name, it’s unusual but not out there. It does mean House of Figs or House of Sorrow, it’s the village where Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead and still exists in Israel today. I’m not religious so the meaning doesn’t mean much. The name really suits DD3.

ABitOTT · 20/11/2018 22:35

I know a Beth who has the Bethany on her birth certificate. In her class at school were 2 other girls known as Beth. (Bethanne & Bethlehem).

I think Beth is a beautiful name on it's own but think about how it sounds with her middle/surname & go with what you like best.

Wombat222 · 20/11/2018 22:20

Beth is my favourite name and just as ‘Beth’ not with a longer version. I think it’s beautiful :)

BetterEatCheese · 20/11/2018 22:03

Love Bethan. I hadn't heard it until recently but really love it

OneTwistedAngel · 20/11/2018 22:01

I like Bethany best and Beth is the obvious nickname

Original poster
Ariabanana · 20/11/2018 21:43

*if they had the same name. Especially if dd when a bit older decided she didn’t like Beth and wanted to be known as Lizzie!

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Original poster
Ariabanana · 20/11/2018 21:42

She’s known as Lizzie most of the time, but I think it would still be a bit weird.

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