Betty?

[Coco78]

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

[happynappies]

Go for it, if you love it and dp loves it too, who cares what people might or might not say at some future point. With any name there will be potential nicknames... chances are younger children won't know about Some Mother's Do Ave 'Em anyway. You could always call her some variation of Elizabeth (Beth, Lisa etc) and choose to shorten to Betty to give other options when she's older. (My dd is Elizabeth - we don't shorten it now, but she can choose to when she's older!). Good luck with your pg by the way, happy name-hunting!

[4andnotout]

My mil is called Betty, her bank and various other companies refuse to believe that her name is Betty rather than Elizabeth and insist on using Elizabeth.

[myfirstbump]

I really love it, but I think it sounds much better in an American accent which is why it hasn't made my shortlist. DH is also totally about it.

If you really really love it, go for it!

And good luck with pg and name hunting. It will take over your life for the next few months. Luckily I've only got 10 more weeks left of name crunching...

[swanandduck]

How about Beth or Betsy.

[WorzselMummage]

Hideous !

One of the few names I can't stand.

[Jamieandhismagictorch]

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 !

[4andnotout]

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

[Coco78]

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

[PandaEis]

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

[5DollarShake]

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...

[mamjo]

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.

[ElephantsAndMiasmas]

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?

[Coco78]

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!

[Coco78]

Sorry, what's the PM test?

[megonthemoon]

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.

[hannahsaunt]

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

[MaggieSilver]

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.

[DuelingFanjo]

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

[MamaLazarou]

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.

[MinnieMalone]

I much prefer Betsy or Bessie

[usualsuspect]

Betty is an old ladies name .its awful

[allyfe]

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

[5DollarShake]

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...

[Takver]

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).