Find out how popular the first name Bettye has been for the last 25 years (from 1974 to 1998) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Bettye by gender

Based on the last 25 years of data, Bettye is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1998, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Bettye.

The history of the first name Bettye

The name Bettye is a variant spelling of the English name Betty, which is a pet form of the name Elizabeth. Elizabeth is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning "God is my oath" or "consecrated to God." The name Elizabeth was introduced to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

The earliest recorded use of the name Bettye dates back to the late 16th century in England. It was initially used as a diminutive form of Elizabeth, but eventually became a name in its own right. The variant spelling with the addition of the letter "y" was likely influenced by the popularity of similar names like Betsy and Bessie during that time period.

One of the earliest notable figures with the name Bettye was Bettye Danoff (1923-2011), an American painter and arts educator known for her abstract expressionist works. She was a prominent figure in the New York City art scene during the mid-20th century.

In the realm of literature, Bettye Naomi Goldstein (1923-2005), better known by her pen name Bettye Goldstein, was an American author and journalist. She wrote several novels and non-fiction works, including the influential book "Raised in the Fifties: A Personal Memoir."

In the world of sports, Bettye Caldwell (born 1940) was a pioneering American track and field athlete. She won gold medals in the 100-meter dash and the 4x100-meter relay at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, becoming the first African American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field.

Another notable figure was Bettye Lane (1930-2003), an American actress and dancer. She appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including popular westerns like "Gunsmoke" and "The Rifleman."

Finally, Bettye LaVette (born 1946) is an American soul singer and songwriter who has been active in the music industry since the 1960s. Known for her powerful and gritty vocals, she has had a long and acclaimed career, receiving numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy nomination in 2023.

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 Bettye was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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