Betsey: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	33	3	–	#725
1890s	32	3	-3%	#877
1900s	27	3	-16%	#1,499
1910s	107	11	+296%	#1,746
1920s	230	23	+115%	#1,506
1930s	304	30	+32%	#1,056
1940s	495	50	+63%	#993
1950s	393	39	-21%	#1,316
1960s	289	29	-26%	#1,715
1970s	279	28	-3%	#2,100
1980s	177	18	-37%	#3,076
1990s	36	4	-80%	#7,360
2000s	38	4	+6%	#11,606
2010s	36	4	-5%	#9,829
2020s (to 2025)	5	1	-77%	#15,690

Decade

Girls

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

#725

1890s

-3%

#877

1900s

-16%

#1,499

1910s

107

+296%

#1,746

1920s

230

+115%

#1,506

1930s

304

+32%

#1,056

1940s

495

+63%

#993

1950s

393

-21%

#1,316

1960s

289

-26%

#1,715

1970s

279

-3%

#2,100

1980s

177

-37%

#3,076

1990s

-80%

#7,360

2000s

+6%

#11,606

2010s

-5%

#9,829

2020s (to 2025)

-77%

#15,690

The story of Betsey

Betsey is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1884, 2,481 American babies have been named Betsey. Its peak came in 1942, when 62 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1940s.

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 Betsey stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Betsey?

The median living Betsey is about 64 years old; half are between 49 and 76. An estimated 1,600 people named Betsey are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Betsey year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank
2025	–	–
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	5	#15,690
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	5	#16,278
2016	5	#16,654
2015	–	–
2014	5	#16,971
2013	–	–
2012	5	#17,310
2011	11	#9,829
2010	5	#17,437
2009	9	#11,606
2008	5	#17,957
2007	5	#18,049
2006	7	#13,810
2005	–	–
2004	6	#14,453
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	6	#13,754
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	11	#7,360
1985	16	#4,646
1980	25	#3,329
1975	23	#3,064
1970	23	#2,943
1965	23	#2,549
1960	37	#1,856
1955	28	#2,026
1950	38	#1,497
1945	58	#1,015
1940	42	#1,117
1935	23	#1,553
1930	16	#2,120
1925	25	#1,702
1920	16	#2,283
1915	12	#2,401
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	6	#1,750
1895	–	–
1890	10	#877
1885	5	#1,063
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Betsey, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Betsey?

The median living Betsey is about 64 years old. Half of all living Betseys are between 49 and 76 years old.

How many people named Betsey are alive today?

An estimated 1,600 people named Betsey are alive in the United States, based on 2,481 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Betsey mean?

A diminutive of the female given name Elizabeth.

How popular is the name Betsey in 2025?

Betsey did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Betsey?

2,481 babies have been named Betsey in the United States since 1884, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Betsey most popular?

Betsey peaked in 1942, when 62 newborns received the name.

Is Betsey a boy or girl name?

Betsey is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Betsey rising or falling?

Betsey is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Betsey

Betsey popularity over time

The story of Betsey

How old are people named Betsey?

Betsey year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Betsey