Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Betty?

28 replies

Coco78 · 16/03/2010 15:21

Hi, this is my first post!
I'm only 7 weeks PG but thinking about names already. I've had my heart set on Betty from since before I conceived, and luckily my fiance loves it too. I wanted something sorta kitsch and 1950's Americana. However, my daughter drew my attention last week to the fact that she might get called "Sweaty Betty" at school, and then my step-dad said she might get people shouting "Oooh Betty" at her (Some Mother's Do Ave 'Em). Ugh, it makes me so cross you can't just pick a name you love, you have to predict what horrible people will say in the future... Anyway... Are you a Betty? Do you love/hate your name? Do you get called this? Is your daughter called Betty? And non-Betty's, what do you think?
Can you think of any similar names for back-up? Thanks XX

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
meggymegmegs · 17/03/2010 12:32

I love it, and it's in my shortlist too, but as Elizabeth as previous posters have suggested. Yes it's an old lady's name but that's part of the appeal IMO.

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 17/03/2010 12:22

Similarish names:

Peggy
Marjy (sounds like fake-buttery toast though)
Lori
Jeannie
Patti/Patsy
Joanie/Joni

All these are probably better than Betty. I know a Betty in her 50s, have always thought her older though just because of the name.

Having said that, and agreeing with others making yuck noises, I am sure that if you love it and call her that, everything will be fine.

You are right about nicknames, but I think Ugly Betty is a pretty strong and obvious one, in the same way that Monica to us might be very connected to "Friends".

notsoteenagemum · 16/03/2010 21:53

Betty is great and I agree with Takver on the PM test, it is nonsense, I've said it before and I'll say it again Tony Blair was voted PM and nobody checked his birth certificate first to make sure he was an Anthony.

Takver · 16/03/2010 21:32

But 5dollarshake - what about Betty Boothroyd. Surely the Speaker is meant to have even more gravitas than the Prime Minister . . .
FWIW I like Betty, but I also think that the PM test is irrelevant, and that as soon as someone becomes known in the public domain their name becomes 'the right sort of name'. (Thinking Mo Mowlam, for example).

5DollarShake · 16/03/2010 20:46

Sorry - PM test = Prime Minister test.

I.E. Will the holder of the name be taken seriously as an adult and a professional?

Certain names simply do not pass, and I think Betty is one of them. Prime Minister Betty, anyone?

Jayden and Lola will also never be Prime Minster...

allyfe · 16/03/2010 19:49

Think it's awful. Some old lady names I love, but that isn't one of them. Sorry.

usualsuspect · 16/03/2010 19:47

Betty is an old ladies name .its awful

MinnieMalone · 16/03/2010 19:44

I much prefer Betsy or Bessie

MamaLazarou · 16/03/2010 19:39

My niece is a cheeky little Betty, and it really suits her. But I think it's best to give a full name and then nickname, so they can choose something a bit more serious and grown-up when they are older.

DuelingFanjo · 16/03/2010 18:43

I love it. someone I know called their baby Betsy and I love that too.

MaggieSilver · 16/03/2010 18:36

Not keen. Not even Betty Draper can make me like this name. I do get that 1950s wonder years, when the World thought America was wonderland vibe though.

I like Nancy.

hannahsaunt · 16/03/2010 18:28

I'm not a fan of Betty but know an adorable Betsy and think that name is fab.

megonthemoon · 16/03/2010 18:11

I like Betty. I know a Bess which I like too and is a nice alternative if you do go with Elizabeth. IME with Elizabeths, they get called by their shortened version so often that they would get called by that rather than another random shortening - e.g. I know two Lizzies who I would never consider calling Liz or Beth, and know a Beth who would never be a Lizzie. So I think there is a good chance Betty would stick for everyone if that is how you and your DD introduced her.

Original poster
Coco78 · 16/03/2010 18:05

Sorry, what's the PM test?

OP posts:
Original poster
Coco78 · 16/03/2010 18:04

Oh God, Ugly Betty, I hadn't thought of that. The thing is though, I think whatever you call your kids, someone ends up finding something mean to shorten/rhyme it with. My son's name is William, which I think is about as anonymous as you can get, but the little brats at his school still call him Billy the Willy.
My mother is American so in my head I can hear Betty being called in for her tea and it sounds nice, so the accent thing doesn't worry me. Maybe it's just too American and doesn't translate well in England, too much of an old-lady connotation. Having said that, why are old man names so popular here(Alfie, Charlie etc)??? No offence to anyone with kids named Alfie or Charlie!

OP posts:
ElephantsAndMiasmas · 16/03/2010 17:01

I would worry a lot more about her being called Ugly Betty. Sure to be the sort of thing that E4 repeats on loop for the next 20 years.

I have been nicknamed Betty by some friends, and have to say although I put up with it (just) from them, I would hate it if it caught on everywhere. It sounds like a crabby old lady name, and as someone said, doesn't work in an English accent. What about Kitty? Or Mary-something?

Have you seen this thread by the way?

Can I recommend BESS?

mamjo · 16/03/2010 16:27

Oh I hadn't thought of that - I totally love the name Betty and have set my heart on it too (well Elizabeth but shortened to Betty, I like the idea of being able to shout something different when she's in trouble) may have to reconsider now as the thought of her being stuck with Sweaty Betty is just awful.

5DollarShake · 16/03/2010 16:24

It seems to be very popular at the moment, but I do not get it at all.

If you love it though - go for it. I would choose a full name and use Betty as a nn as it doesn't really pass the PM test otherwise...

PandaEis · 16/03/2010 16:23

im not a fan of betty TBH but if you are go for it!!

i would maybe give her a 'full' name like elizabeth though just to give her options in the future.

and FWIW people will only take 'liz' out of the name if she is introduced as elizabeth. if she is introduced as betty that is what she will be known as

Original poster
Coco78 · 16/03/2010 16:17

I would consider Elizabeth for the birth certificate but I'm pretty sure people would be inclined to call her Liz then Thanks for your comments everyone X

OP posts:
4andnotout · 16/03/2010 15:56

I think as a nickname it's cute but I think it's a bit twee for an adult.

Jamieandhismagictorch · 16/03/2010 15:55

I like it, but I would use Elizabeth as a given name. It has so many nice nicknames

It always makes me laugh when people say that a child will be teased, based on something that was relevant in 1977 !

WorzselMummage · 16/03/2010 15:54

Hideous !

One of the few names I can't stand.

MrsvWoolf · 16/03/2010 15:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

swanandduck · 16/03/2010 15:47

How about Beth or Betsy.

Swipe left for the next trending thread