Bess
Variant of Beth, a clipping of Elizabeth.
Every Bess since 1880 — 7,176 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Bess
Bess is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #15,307 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 7,176 American babies have been named Bess. Its peak came in 1889, when 182 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the late 1800s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Bess stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Bess year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | #15,307 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 6 | #13,868 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | 8 | #11,260 | — | — |
| 2019 | 5 | #15,918 | — | — |
| 2018 | 7 | #12,699 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | 6 | #14,625 | — | — |
| 2015 | 6 | #14,797 | — | — |
| 2014 | 8 | #12,126 | — | — |
| 2013 | 7 | #13,401 | — | — |
| 2012 | 6 | #15,266 | — | — |
| 2011 | 7 | #13,587 | — | — |
| 2010 | 7 | #13,688 | — | — |
| 2009 | 8 | #12,620 | — | — |
| 2008 | 7 | #14,071 | — | — |
| 2007 | 8 | #12,856 | — | — |
| 2006 | 6 | #15,428 | — | — |
| 2005 | 18 | #6,573 | — | — |
| 2004 | 5 | #16,475 | — | — |
| 2003 | 12 | #8,595 | — | — |
| 2002 | 14 | #7,492 | — | — |
| 2001 | 10 | #9,462 | — | — |
| 2000 | 9 | #10,009 | — | — |
| 1995 | 11 | #7,577 | — | — |
| 1990 | 16 | #5,586 | — | — |
| 1985 | 27 | #3,256 | — | — |
| 1980 | 28 | #3,075 | — | — |
| 1975 | 11 | #5,188 | — | — |
| 1970 | 19 | #3,320 | — | — |
| 1965 | 19 | #2,843 | — | — |
| 1960 | 26 | #2,314 | — | — |
| 1955 | 23 | #2,282 | — | — |
| 1950 | 15 | #2,670 | — | — |
| 1945 | 21 | #1,831 | — | — |
| 1940 | 29 | #1,409 | — | — |
| 1935 | 17 | #1,930 | — | — |
| 1930 | 36 | #1,253 | — | — |
| 1925 | 64 | #932 | — | — |
| 1920 | 82 | #798 | — | — |
| 1915 | 122 | #589 | — | — |
| 1910 | 88 | #421 | — | — |
| 1905 | 87 | #362 | — | — |
| 1900 | 134 | #280 | — | — |
| 1895 | 150 | #224 | — | — |
| 1890 | 154 | #190 | — | — |
| 1885 | 97 | #192 | — | — |
| 1880 | 46 | #227 | — | — |
Famous people named Bess
- Bess Truman Politician · 1885–1982
- Bess Meredyth Writer · 1890–1969
- Bess Armstrong Actor · b. 1953
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bess mean?
Variant of Beth, a clipping of Elizabeth.
How popular is the name Bess in 2025?
Bess ranked #15,307 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Bess?
7,176 babies have been named Bess in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Bess most popular?
Bess peaked in 1889, when 182 newborns received the name.
Is Bess a boy or girl name?
Bess is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Bess rising or falling?
Bess is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Bess?
Well-known people named Bess include Bess Truman (politician), Bess Meredyth (writer), Bess Armstrong (actor).