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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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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:
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.

midsomermurderess · 30/08/2022 16:25

Betsy. It’s got a bit of voom about it.

TeenDivided · 30/08/2022 16:27

Libby or Beth. Both fine for a child or adult.
Betsy sounds too 'cute' for an adult.

DeeDeeDaisy · 30/08/2022 17:54

I'll start off by saying Elizabeth is a GREAT name...as it's mine 😉

I go by Beth, but if I had to choose between the two names you have listed I would probably choose Libby.

saynotoo · 30/08/2022 17:56

Betsy, but prefer Bet.

pinklavenders · 30/08/2022 17:57

Beth is lovely.

Cotswoldmama · 30/08/2022 17:58

I prefer Libby or Beth.

miamiibiza · 30/08/2022 17:59

Betsy

PinkSyCo · 30/08/2022 18:01

Libby’s nice, but I prefer Betty to Betsy. Beth is quite nice too.

KangarooKenny · 30/08/2022 18:04

Libby,

silverbubbles · 30/08/2022 18:06

Betty is nice than Betsy.

Bakingdiva · 30/08/2022 18:07

I have an Elizabeth who has always been Libby. I like that it's different from the usual Liz / Beth and will work for her as an adult (or she can pick her own)

Butterbeer4All · 30/08/2022 18:14

Libby

Snugglemonkey · 30/08/2022 18:18

I hate Liz and Beth is so boring, I much prefer Libby or Betsy. Both are cute, but Libby would grow into adulthood better I think.

GlassDeli · 30/08/2022 18:41

Of the two I prefer Betsy

ofwarren · 30/08/2022 18:44

Betsy

Sandysandwich · 30/08/2022 18:55

Libby, or Beth

Betsy is a bus, or a cow

Hadtocomment · 30/08/2022 19:37

Love Beth. Not keen on Libby but don't know why. I think Betsy and Betty are fun. I like Liv, Livvie, Lizzie, not so keen on Liz but like Eliza, Liza, Lisa and Bethan.

RuthW · 30/08/2022 20:48

Betty is my fav.

Elizabeth is a great name.

Somanymistakes · 30/08/2022 21:10

Betsy