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Baby names

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

Original poster

What do you think of the name Betsy?

88 replies

Supercherry · 24/02/2009 22:43

Honest opinions please.

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woodenspoon2 · 25/02/2009 10:12

Meh. Bette more elegant. Not a great name if she wnats to be prime minister, methinks.

MrsMattie · 25/02/2009 10:12

I am not usually keen on a) old fashioned names or b) cutesy names....but, i really like Betsy.

I know a grown up Betsey. She is a banker! it suits her

2pt4kids · 25/02/2009 10:12

Love it. Very nice

frazzledoldbag · 25/02/2009 10:11

Isn't it a nick-name for your (ahem) fou-fou?

stroppyknickers · 25/02/2009 09:28

My dd (10) is Betsy and she loves it as it is a bit different. First times it's ever been on here as far as I know.

NorbertDentressangle · 25/02/2009 09:25

Its a name that sounds cute for a baby/toddler/girl but I'm not sure about it as an adult name.

Although, saying that, the only Betsy I've ever known personally is an adult but I did notice that she used her full name of Elizabeth when she wrote an article for the Guardian recently.

VeryAnnieMary · 25/02/2009 09:12

I think it's sweet.

theboob · 25/02/2009 08:11

my mum is called betsy,as is my gran,and her mother etc.....it was tradition to call the eldest daughter betsy which my mother stopped with me,i am so glad she did and would hate my name if she had carried on the tradition

sorry but i hate it

fishie · 25/02/2009 08:08

xavelli my late mil was betty ann.

ian duncan smith's wife is betsy.

Xavielli · 25/02/2009 08:05

My late grandmother was named Betsy Annie... Not an abrieviation for anything, just her name. She hated it and was known from the age of about 5 as Nancy.

I LOVE it on the other hand!! lol

Original poster
Supercherry · 25/02/2009 07:50

Thanks for your opinions.

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nooka · 25/02/2009 04:54

I don't really like it it all. Not quite sure why, it feels a bit wrong for a grown up (feels too old fashioned in a little woman indoors type of way) and too trying to be cutsy for a little girl. I quite like Elisabeth, but would use another shortening, of which there are a plethora.

SuperBunny · 25/02/2009 01:36

It's quite common in the US but more in the 30 yr olds. I know several Betsys and a 3 year old Betty. All Elizabeths but only ever called by their nn.

upagumtree · 25/02/2009 01:20

What about Beth? Much nicer than Betsy.

muggglewump · 25/02/2009 00:57

I don't like it at all, I think it's twee and silly and belongs to a 2yr old.
I love Elizabeth though, and Betsy as a short form is fine, but give her a choice.

Thunderduck · 25/02/2009 00:46

Don't like it at all.

upagumtree · 25/02/2009 00:43

Awww, this thread brings back lots of childhood memories. Betsy...That's what my dad called his car!

thumbwitch · 24/02/2009 23:51

As a small girl diminuitive of Elizabeth, it's fine. But on its own - it's too twee. Wouldn't want to be saddled with it as a grown woman.

It's also my MIL's dog's name.

ramonaquimby · 24/02/2009 23:46

I think it's trying to hard to be a cool name

Lulubee · 24/02/2009 23:44

It's very cute, but again, I'd give Elizabeth and then she can use what she likes when she's a high flying career woman (or whatever). Elizabeth is brilliant because there are so many variations of it - I always liked the Queen's childhood nickname Lilibet.

lou33 · 24/02/2009 23:26

ds1 would have been betsy if he had been a girl

betsy rose

gonaenodaethat · 24/02/2009 23:14

Love it

But would name her Elizabeth and shorten

Twistle · 24/02/2009 23:11

Like it.

Original poster
Supercherry · 24/02/2009 22:53

Seeker, I didn't actually think of Betsy as an abbreviation because my Grandma is a Betsy. But I do agree about abbreviations. My DS has a 'proper' name which we shorten.

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Original poster
Supercherry · 24/02/2009 22:51

Oh and I've only just found out I am pregnant- don't even know if it's a boy or girl just yet. Just very excited.

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