Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

What do you think of the name Betsy?

88 replies

Supercherry · 24/02/2009 22:43

Honest opinions please.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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.

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.

Supercherry · 25/02/2009 07:50

Thanks for your opinions.

OP posts:
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

fishie · 25/02/2009 08:08

xavelli my late mil was betty ann.

ian duncan smith's wife is betsy.

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

VeryAnnieMary · 25/02/2009 09:12

I think it's sweet.

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.

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.

frazzledoldbag · 25/02/2009 10:11

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

2pt4kids · 25/02/2009 10:12

Love it. Very nice

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

woodenspoon2 · 25/02/2009 10:12

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

bluebump · 25/02/2009 10:15

I think it's a fab name.

woodenspoon2 · 25/02/2009 10:18

Bette is beautiful, go Bette! Betsy is an apple-cheeked, pinafore-wearing apple-pie eating / baking American little girl / granny.
Or a skinny sallow ironically named supermodel...

Supercherry · 25/02/2009 11:02

I genuinely don't see an issue with a prime minister named Betsy, do not think they are at odds at all. A rose by any other name....

OP posts:
princessmel · 25/02/2009 11:04

I like it

mrswoolf · 25/02/2009 11:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wilbur · 25/02/2009 11:05

Love it, but would prob use Elizabeth for long but then I'm old-fashioned like that. I know a set of twins called Betsy and Spike - they are v cool.

stroppyknickers · 25/02/2009 11:19

woodenspoon2 - I will tell dd what her options are when she gets home. She had been contemplating being a GP...

Doha · 25/02/2009 11:21

awful name

LuciaRose · 25/02/2009 11:25

I love Betsy, but it is very cutesy. I think I would give a little girl the name Elizabeth. You could call her Betsy, but she could choose to be Elizabeth, Eliza, Liza, Lizzie, Betty, Beth, Bessie or Bess - all absolutely delightful names - if she wanted.

stroppyknickers · 25/02/2009 11:26

I have never had anything other than positive reactions to dd being Betsy. Her teacher even told me she'd wasnted to see what a Betsy looked like as she'd never had one before!

ForeverOptimistic · 25/02/2009 11:28

I like it but wouldn't choose it myself. A little too cutesy for me.

schneebly · 25/02/2009 11:32

I think it is lovely.