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

I do like Elizabeth, but unfortunately my sister has a six year old Elizabeth.

OP posts:
Cookit · 20/11/2018 18:20

I know two Beths - an Elizabeth and a Bethan. The Elizabeth is an adult and had been Beth to everyone since birth.
I’d use Elizabeth personally, Bethany to me sounds quite dated (80s? Early 90s?).

Pibplob · 20/11/2018 18:11

I would go for Beth if that’s what you like. I personally don’t like Elizabeth. I love Bethan and Bethany too. Prob prefer Bethany out of all 3 but agree with others that just Beth is fine as a stand alone name.

DramaAlpaca · 20/11/2018 18:03

I'd say Elizabeth as it gives other options.

Bethan is fine if you have Welsh connections.

I think of Bethany as a name with religious connections as it is a biblical place.

6onTheHappyFarm · 20/11/2018 17:34

I like Beth and Bethany. I
I have a longer name I like to shorten and so does my DD, so I'd probably go Bethany, but that's just me!

I think they are lovely names whatever you choose.

hoping2018 · 20/11/2018 17:26

Go Bethan only if you are Welsh/welsh connection
I like Bethany and Elizabeth - I would say yes to needing a longer name but that's only my opinion!

PickleSarnie · 20/11/2018 16:04

If you like Beth then go for Beth. It doesn't need a longer version - it's lovely as it is

ErrolTheDragon · 20/11/2018 16:03

I'd generally go with the longest option as the given name as it gives the child most options - Bethany can be shortened to Bethan or Beth.

daisypond · 20/11/2018 16:03

Yep, call her Elizabeth with Beth for short. I like Bethany and Bethan, too, but Elizabeth is nicer and goes better with Laura.

MemoryOfSleep · 20/11/2018 16:02

I really like Bethany, but I'm very into name meanings and it means house of figs, which is why I didn't use it. Elizabeth I'm not a huge fan of, but it has a variety of nn opportunities and is unobjectional.

BumDisease · 20/11/2018 15:57

My aunt is Beth, full name Elizabeth.

Onefliesoverthecuckoosnest · 20/11/2018 15:54

I love the name Beth and am not keen on Bethan/Bethany. I live in Wales and Bethan is v popular here.

I also like the full name Elizabeth with nn Beth but that's just me.

I love the name Laura and think that Laura and Beth go beautifully together. Congratulations btw!

HundredMilesAnHour · 20/11/2018 15:53

Why not Elizabeth?