Find out how popular the first name Bette has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Bette by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Bette is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 15 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Bette.

The history of the first name Bette

The name Bette is a feminine given name derived from the Old French word "Bete," which means "blessed" or "holy." It is a contracted form of the name Elizabeth, which has its roots in the Hebrew name "Elisheva," meaning "God is my oath."

The name Bette first appeared in Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly in France and England. It gained popularity as a diminutive form of Elizabeth, which was a common name among royalty and nobility. The earliest recorded use of the name Bette dates back to the 13th century.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name Bette was Bette de Bourgueville, a French historian and writer who lived from 1545 to 1632. She is known for her work "Les Recherches et Antiquitez de la Province de Neustrie," which chronicled the history of Normandy.

In the 16th century, Bette de Verneuil, a French noblewoman and mistress of King Henry IV of France, was a notable figure. She was born in 1579 and played a significant role in the political affairs of the time.

The name Bette gained further prominence in the 20th century with the rise of Hollywood and the film industry. Bette Davis, the legendary American actress, was born in 1908 and won two Academy Awards for her performances in "Dangerous" (1935) and "Jezebel" (1938). She was renowned for her intense acting style and was often cast in roles portraying strong, independent women.

Another famous Bette was Bette Midler, the American singer, actress, and comedian. Born in 1945, she is known for her distinctive vocal style and her work in films such as "The Rose" (1979), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

Bette Nesmith Graham, born in 1924, was an American artist and inventor. She is credited with the invention of Liquid Paper, the first correction fluid for typewriters. Her invention revolutionized the office supply industry and made her a successful entrepreneur.

While the name Bette has its origins in Europe, it has been embraced globally, with notable individuals bearing the name from various cultures and backgrounds.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Bette was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bette, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!