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Baby names

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

Original poster

Thoughts on Bette?

56 replies

SemperIdem · 30/12/2020 12:53

Came across it on a Netflix programme I’ve been watching and thought it was quite different to all the soft sounding girls names popular at the moment.

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ChristmasJumpers · 30/12/2020 19:05

@sandandso I suppose it depends how well you can deal with it. My name (you would think) is straight forward to pronounce but it hasn't stopped lots getting it wrong, especially during a year of studying abroad. It's the source of many jokes as once pronunciation is quite a rude word but I just have to laugh along

sandandso · 30/12/2020 18:49

@ChristmasJumpers

I wouldn't worry about people not knowing how to pronounce it, you only have to be told once and then you know. Its not like the alternative pronunciation is rude or embarrassing 🙂 i watched the series too and its a lovely different nickname to Elizabeth. I'm big on nicknames though so would go full name and then shorten it
It's true that people she knows will (hopefully) only have to be told once (though never underestimate people's ability to keep getting a name wrong)... But she'll have a lifetime of strangers pronouncing it wrong when they only see it written down. Being called by receptionists, greeted by an interview panel, called up on stage to receive a prize... I mean, it's happened a lot to me, and my name's not even that ambiguous, just similar to some much more common names.
DramaAlpaca · 30/12/2020 18:43

I think to be honest that Bette has quite an ugly look and sound, though I am with the OP in preferring it to these horrible, twee names so popular these days - Betsy being a prime example.

I'd put Elizabeth on the bc, much better than having a diminutive on there. Elizabeth is such a versatile name.

RuthW · 30/12/2020 18:21

Elizabeth is a lovely, whatever your choice of nn.

The nn on the birth cert is not so nice.

ChristmasJumpers · 30/12/2020 18:12

I wouldn't worry about people not knowing how to pronounce it, you only have to be told once and then you know. Its not like the alternative pronunciation is rude or embarrassing 🙂 i watched the series too and its a lovely different nickname to Elizabeth. I'm big on nicknames though so would go full name and then shorten it

BlueThistles · 30/12/2020 18:05

I love Betty...

Original poster
SemperIdem · 30/12/2020 18:04

That’s good to know about young Liz’s not getting Lizzie/Liz these days. I don’t know any younger than 20, so just assumed they did. Makes me lean more towards Elizabeth nn Bette rather than just Bette on the birth certificate.

OP posts:
IamnotwhouthinkIam · 30/12/2020 17:53

Very few young Elizabeth's get Liz these days - it's a dated nn. I'd call her Bette from day one (it's a cool retro nn) but stick Elizabeth on the BC, (unless you really hate it) because it gives her a lot more options if she wants when older.

crabette · 30/12/2020 15:51

I love it! I do get a little confused if it's pronounced Bette single syllable or two syllable, as I think it varies with the same spelling. But once you / she's made it clear once on introduction it'll be fine. Gorgeous name.

yellowhighheels · 30/12/2020 15:47

I love it!

PlantPotting · 30/12/2020 15:42

Love it

KatherineJaneway · 30/12/2020 15:13

I think of Middler or Davis. Nice name though.

ShivD · 30/12/2020 15:12

I really like it and would pronounce it Bet.

EileenGC · 30/12/2020 15:09

I don't like it. Too similar to the word for bed in one of my languages, and I find the sound a bit... wet?
How about Beth? I know someone called this, not short for Elizabeth, and I think it's a beautiful name.

unmarkedbythat · 30/12/2020 14:32

Bet is ugly. Betty is ok. Bette is a spelling that confuses people.

BettyBo33 · 30/12/2020 14:32

If you got it from Netflix Tiny Little Things...she’s Elizabeth isn’t she? I like it but probably influenced by the beautiful actress who plays her..the character is a nutcase!

daisypond · 30/12/2020 14:29

Oh, yes, Bette Middler didn’t occur to me.

CryptoFascist · 30/12/2020 14:28

Belle et Bette... Sorry!

wonderpants · 30/12/2020 14:27

Bette Middler?

daisypond · 30/12/2020 14:24

I think most would say Betty -because Bette Davis is the most well known holder of the name. I’d go for Elizabeth and shorten. I know a few and none are called Liz.

GintyMcGinty · 30/12/2020 14:23

Classic

sandandso · 30/12/2020 14:21

I never know if it's pronounced Bet or Betty.

Yennefer19 · 30/12/2020 14:16

I like it, I like the fact that it’s on trend with older names coming in to fashion but it’s not one that I’ve heard too much.

I do think though that it depends what your surname is, I think it requires a slightly longer surname to balance the name out.

Original poster
SemperIdem · 30/12/2020 13:40

Usually I am a big fan of longer given names with a nn and do like Elizabeth, but I think I’d have the devils own job avoiding Liz etc

My daughters name is technically a diminutive of a Russian name, though more commonly used as a standalone name in the UK. I just didn’t think people would play ball if I used the full name and used the nn.

OP posts:
reprehensibleme · 30/12/2020 13:35

How about Elizabeth, NN Bette - also loads of other great NN.