Bettany?

[SilkStalkings]

Is this a real name? A plant or something?
If one liked Betty but wanted a Sunday Best name and preferred nicknames to start with the same sound as the real name so Elizabeth was out...

I think it's a real name, although Bethany is more popular. I also think it's a plant BTW I love it

Bethany is out because of 14yr old Sarah-Louise in Corrie calling her baby that!

This may out me but it was my Grandmother's maiden name and her first name was ... Betty.

Paul...

I like it, but many will mistake it for Birttany

It's a surname, well I know it is a surname anyway (best friend's). I've never seen it as a first name!

Know it as not is!

Paul Bettany - the actor

Madge and Joey Bettany - famed educators of English gels in the Alps.

I've never heard it as a first name. People will hear Bethany. I love Betty though.

It's a real surname. Not a first name. How about Bettina?

It's a transferred surname. I'm afraid I thought first of the traitor Michael Bettany.

But there is also the historian Bettany Hughes.

I think people will mis-hear it as Bethany (which is a lovely classic Biblical name).

How about Beatrice with Betty as nn? Obviously it's usually nn for Elizabeth and I don't usually go for contrived nicknames which aren't really related to the longer name. But apparently (see here) in the 17th century Betty was used occasionally as a pet form of Beatrice.

Lilibet? Betsan?

Ah Bettany Hughes! Knew I'd seen/heard it somewhere.

Oh and I'm told that the plant I was thinking of is Dittany which would also make quite a cute name.

No, it is a flower but it's spelt Betony see here