Bess
A girls’ name of Hebrew origin, meaning oath of god; a form of Elizabeth.
Babies a year
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no recent records
Rarity
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among names in use
US popularity
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outside the top 1000
UK popularity
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outside the ONS list
Bess by the numbers
Its American peak was 182 babies in 1889, making it a 1880s name.
Other names that come from Elizabeth
Like Bess, each of these traces back to Elizabeth: a form of it, a name built from it, or a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Isabelledevoted to God; form of Elizabeth814 in England and Wales (2025)
- Elsiepledged to God; from Elizabeth1,700 in England and Wales (2025)
- ElyseGod's oath; a form of Elise or Elizabeth427 in the US (2017)
- Elisabethgod is my oath; a form of Elizabeth353 in the US (2017)
- Lizbethgod is my oath; a form of Elizabeth288 in the US (2017)
- Betsygod's oath; a diminutive of Elizabeth278 in England and Wales (2025)
- Libbygod is my oath; a form of Elizabeth80 in England and Wales (2025)
- BettyGod's oath; diminutive of Elizabeth108 in England and Wales (2025)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Bess. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Other names that mean God
Like Bess, each of these has God in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Isabellapledged to God15,112 in the US (2017)
- Elizabethmy God is an oath8,924 in the US (2017)
- Angelmessenger of God6,157 in the US (2017)
- Auroradawn; Roman goddess of sunrise1,030 in England and Wales (2025)
- SamanthaGod has heard; feminine form of Samuel4,308 in the US (2017)
- Micahwho is like God3,924 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean an oath or promise
Like Bess, each of these has an oath or promise in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Isabellapledged to God15,112 in the US (2017)
- Elizabethmy God is an oath8,924 in the US (2017)
- Zionpromised land; the promised city374 in England and Wales (2025)
- Elizagod is my oath; short form of Elizabeth712 in England and Wales (2025)
- Isabelgod is my oath; form of Elizabeth2,016 in the US (2017)
- Elisemy god is an oath; a form of Elisabeth1,707 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Bess
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