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Baby names

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

Original poster

Libby or Betsy?

56 replies

Firebird83 · 30/08/2022 00:03

Which one do you prefer? It would be short for Elizabeth.

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TambourineOfRepentance · 30/08/2022 16:15

Zosime · 30/08/2022 11:32

Wait until she's old enough to choose for herself. She might not like either of them.

I love the name Elizabeth.

Yes! Diminutives and nicknames usually come naturally, there's not a lot of point trying to decide on one before she's even here.

Original poster
Firebird83 · 30/08/2022 16:04

Thanks for comments. Liz and Beth are fine, but to me they sound slightly dated, especially Liz. If she chooses to go by either of those I wouldn’t have a problem with it though.

I can see what people mean about Betsy being a bit twee, but if she has Elizabeth as her full name then she wouldn’t have to be Betsy as a teen or an adult as there are so many other options.

OP posts:
MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 30/08/2022 11:42

I like Libby.

Betsy is way too cutsie for me. It’s the name of a chubby cheeked toddler from a Mabel Lucie Attwell illustration.

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 30/08/2022 11:42

pinklavenders · 30/08/2022 11:14

They may be 'traditional' short forms, yes.

But the natural shortening of Elizabeth is Liz or Beth. When you say Elizabeth quickly, the Liz is mostly emphasised.

And? Confused

Libby and Betsy are both well-know shortenings of Elizabeth.

pinklavenders · 30/08/2022 11:39

Wait until she's old enough to choose for herself. She might not like either of them.

That's the best advice actually.

Call her Elizabeth - it's nice and easy to say. Let your dd choose her own nickname.

Zosime · 30/08/2022 11:32

Wait until she's old enough to choose for herself. She might not like either of them.

I love the name Elizabeth.

watcherintherye · 30/08/2022 11:23

I think Libby is a lovely name! Betsy sounds quite twee.

MumofSpud · 30/08/2022 11:19

IggyAce · 30/08/2022 07:56

Libby, the two Betsy I know are both dogs. However there is no guarantee as they get older and enter teens that Libby will stick as a nn, so make sure you like the other possibilities.

Betsy is my cat!

pinklavenders · 30/08/2022 11:14

They may be 'traditional' short forms, yes.

But the natural shortening of Elizabeth is Liz or Beth. When you say Elizabeth quickly, the Liz is mostly emphasised.

Hobbesmanc · 30/08/2022 11:01

Libby is pretty although my preference would be Betty or Bette. Just such a cool name. Betsy feels a little mumsy and Beth rather twee

DuchessOfSausage · 30/08/2022 08:32

Betsy

anotherpotoftea · 30/08/2022 08:20

Libby is nice. Don’t like Betsy.

EleanorShellstrop28 · 30/08/2022 08:17

pinklavenders · 30/08/2022 07:51

Liberty shortens to Libbie.

Not Elizabeth

Libby is a well-known nickname for the name Elizabeth.

I like Betsy best, though.

IggyAce · 30/08/2022 07:56

Libby, the two Betsy I know are both dogs. However there is no guarantee as they get older and enter teens that Libby will stick as a nn, so make sure you like the other possibilities.

goherbie · 30/08/2022 07:56

In fact look up Libby on a naming site and you get...

Libby or Betsy?
goherbie · 30/08/2022 07:54

@pinklavenders

No, Libby is a traditional shortening of Elizabeth. I know three, one of whom was my old home ec teacher (who was also good friends with my grandfather).

pinklavenders · 30/08/2022 07:51

Liberty shortens to Libbie.

Not Elizabeth

pinklavenders · 30/08/2022 07:51

Neither

Liz or Beth are the most natural shortenings of Elizabeth

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 30/08/2022 07:48

Betsy. I have an irrational detest for the name Libby even though the only 2 I know are absolutely lovely

Wowitshot · 30/08/2022 07:46

Libby

olympicsrock · 30/08/2022 07:45

See what she looks like - use both and others and see what sticks

WishDragon · 30/08/2022 07:44

Libby.

Really don’t like Betsy it’s so cutesy and twee.

Dadaya · 30/08/2022 06:40

Where I live Betsy is slang for female genitals!

Merryclaire · 30/08/2022 06:31

Libby

bridgetreilly · 30/08/2022 01:19

I like both but prefer Betsy.