Betty or Bettie is a name, a common

diminutive A diminutive is a root word that has been modified to convey a slighter degree of its root meaning, either to convey the smallness of the object or quality named, or to convey a sense of intimacy or endearment. A ( abbreviated ) is a word-form ...

for the

names A name is a term used for identification by an external observer. They can identify a class or category of things, or a single thing, either uniquely, or within a given context. The entity identified by a name is called its referent. A persona ...

Bethany Bethany ( grc-gre, Βηθανία,Murphy-O'Connor, 2008, p152/ref> Syriac: ܒܝܬ ܥܢܝܐ ''Bēṯ ʿAnyā'') or what is locally known as Al-Eizariya or al-Azariya ( ar, العيزرية, " laceof Lazarus"), is a Palestinian town in the West ...

and Elizabeth. In Latin America, it is also a common diminutive for the given name Beatriz, the Spanish and Portuguese form of the Latin name

Beatrix Beatrix is a Latin feminine given name, most likely derived from ''Viatrix'', a feminine form of the Late Latin name ''Viator'' which meant "voyager, traveller" and later influenced in spelling by association with the Latin word ''beatus'' or "bles ...

and the English name Beatrice. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it was more often a diminutive of Bethia.

Notable people

Athletes

Betty Cuthbert Elizabeth Alyse Cuthbert, (20 April 1938 – 6 August 2017) was an Australian athlete and a four-time Olympic champion. She was nicknamed Australia's "Golden Girl". During her career, she set world records for 60 metres, 100 yards, 200 metres ...

(1938–2017), Australian sprinter and Olympic champion *

Betty Jameson Elizabeth May Jameson (May 9, 1919 – February 7, 2009) was an American professional golfer. She was one of the thirteen founders of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) in 1950. She won three major championships and a total of thi ...

(1919–2009), American Hall-of-Fame golfer and one of the founders of the LPGA * Betty McKilligan (born 1949), Canadian pairs figure skater *

Betty Nuthall Betty May Nuthall Shoemaker (née Nuthall; 23 May 1911 – 8 November 1983) was an English tennis player. Known for her powerful forehand, according to Wallis Myers of ''The Daily Telegraph'' and the ''Daily Mail'', Nuthall was ranked in the wor ...

(1911–1983), English tennis player * Betty Pariso, American bodybuilder *

Betty Stöve Betty Flippina Stöve (born 24 June 1945) is a Dutch former professional tennis player. She is best remembered for reaching the ladies' singles final, the ladies' doubles final and the mixed doubles final during the same year at Wimbledon in 19 ...

(born 1945), Dutch tennis player *

Betty Ann Grubb Stuart Betty Ann Grubb Stuart (born February 26, 1950) is a retired American professional tennis player. She had her most significant success in doubles, including reaching the final of the 1977 US Open with Renée Richards as her partner. Personal l ...

(born 1950), American tennis player * Betty Uber (1906–1983), English badminton and tennis player

Journalists and media personalities

* Betty Elizalde (1940–2018), Argentine journalist and broadcaster * Betty Kennedy (1926–2017), Canadian broadcaster, journalist and author *

Betty Nguyen Betty Nguyen (born September 1, 1974) is an American news anchor, who is currently at WPIX in New York City. Nguyen has previously worked for NBC News, MSNBC, CBS News, and CNN. Career Nguyen began her career as a morning anchor and reporter ...

(born 1974), American news anchor

Performing artists and fashion models

* Betty Alberge (1922–1991), British actress * Betty Arvaniti (born 1939), Greek actress *

Betty Boije Betty Natalie Boije af Gennäs (14 February 1822 - 14 November 1854), was a Finnish (originally Swedish) opera and concert singer (contralto) and composer. She was one of eight children of the Swedish nobleman Klas Otto Boije af Gennäs and Mari ...

(1822–1854), Finnish-Swedish contralto and composer *

Betty Boo Alison Moira Clarkson (born 6 March 1970 in Kensington, London), better known as Betty Boo, is an English singer, songwriter and rapper. She first came to mainstream prominence in the late 1980s following a collaboration with the Beatmaster ...

(born 1970), stage name of English singer and songwriter Alison Moira Clarkson *

Betty Bronson Elizabeth Ada Bronson (November 17, 1906 – October 19, 1971) was an American film and television actress who began her career during the silent film era. Early years Bronson was born in Trenton, New Jersey, to Frank and Nellie Smith Brons ...

(1906–1971), American actress *

Betty G Bruktawit Getahun ( amh, ብሩክታዊት ጌታሁን), better known by her stage name Betty G, is an Ethiopian singer and songwriter. She initiated her career with collaborating with various artists, most notably, hip hop musician, like N ...

, a stage name of an Ethiopian singer and songwriter Bruktawit Getahun *

Betty Buckley Betty Lynn Buckley (born July 3, 1947) is an American actress and singer. Buckley is the winner of a Tony Award, and was nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and an Olivier Award. In 2012, she was inducted into the American ...

(born 1947), American actress *

Betty Burbridge Elizabeth Burbridge (December 7, 1895 – September 19, 1987) was an American screenwriter and actress, best known for her Western screenplays. Biography Elizabeth Burbridge was born in San Diego, California on December 7, 1895, the grand ...

(1895–1987), American actress *

Betty Carter Betty Carter (born Lillie Mae Jones; May 16, 1929 – September 26, 1998) was an American jazz singer known for her improvisational technique, scatting and other complex musical abilities that demonstrated her vocal talent and imaginative int ...

(Lillie Mae Jones) (1929–1998), American jazz singer *

Betty Cody Betty Cody (August 17, 1921 – July 1, 2014) was a Canadian-born country music singer. Her notable singles include the 1952 RCA releases "Tom Tom Yodel" and "I Found Out More Than You Ever Knew", and "Please Throw Away The Glass" released by ...

(1921–2014), Canadian-born American country music singer *

Bette Davis Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (; April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress with a career spanning more than 50 years and 100 acting credits. She was noted for playing unsympathetic, sardonic characters, and was famous for her p ...

(1908–1989) American actress *

Bettie de Jong Bettie de Jong (born May 1, 1933 in Sumatra, Indonesia) is a Dutch rehearsal director and former lead dancer at the Paul Taylor Dance Company. In November 2007 Bettie de Jong received the Dance Magazine Award to recognize her contributions to da ...

(born 1933), Dutch rehearsal director and dancer *

Betty Deland Hedvig Kristina Elisabeth "Betty" Deland (14 November 1831 in Örebro – 1 April 1882 in Stockholm) was a Swedish stage actress. She was a principal of the Royal Dramatic Training Academy and belong to the elite of Swedish 19th-century actors ...

(1831–1882), Swedish actress * Betty Driver (1920–2011), British actress and singer *

Betty Everett Betty Jean Everett (November 23, 1939 – August 19, 2001) was an American soul singer and pianist, best known for her biggest hit single, the million-selling " Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)", and her duet " Let It Be Me" with Jerry But ...

(1939–2001), American soul singer * Betty Faria (born 1941), Brazilian actress *

Betty Garrett Betty Garrett (May 23, 1919 – February 12, 2011) was an American actress, comedian, singer and dancer. She originally performed on Broadway, and was then signed to a film contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She appeared in several musical film ...

(1919–2011), American actress, comedian, singer and dancer *

Betty Grable Elizabeth Ruth Grable (December 18, 1916 – July 2, 1973) was an American actress, pin-up girl, dancer, model, and singer. Her 42 films during the 1930s and 1940s grossed more than $100 million; for 10 consecutive years (1942–1951) she reig ...

(1916–1973), American actress, singer, dancer and

pin-up girl A pin-up model (known as a pin-up girl for a female and less commonly male pin-up for a male) is a model whose mass-produced pictures see widespread appeal as part of popular culture. Pin-up models were variously glamour models, fashion mode ...

* Betty Harlafti, Greek mezzo-soprano and singer *

Betty Harris Betty Harris (born September 9, 1939 in Orlando, Florida, United States) is an American soul singer. Her recording career in the 1960s produced three hit singles that made the U.S. ''Billboard'' R&B and ''Billboard'' Hot 100 charts: " Cry to ...

(born 1939), American soul singer *

Betty Hutton Betty Hutton (born Elizabeth June Thornburg; February 26, 1921 – March 11, 2007) was an American stage, film, and television actress, comedian, dancer, and singer. Early life and education Hutton was born Elizabeth June Thornburg on February 2 ...

(1921–2007), American actress and singer *

Betty Kelly Betty Kelly (born September 16, 1944) (also known as Betty Kelley) is an American singer most noted as being a member of the popular Motown singing group Martha and the Vandellas. Early years Born in Attalla, Alabama, Kelly moved with her fami ...

(born 1944), American singer, member of Martha and the Vandellas *

Betty Knox Betty Knox (10 May 1906 – 25 January 1963) was an American dancer and journalist. Her early career was in American vaudeville and British variety as the original ‘Betty’ (1928–1941) of Wilson, Keppel and Betty – a dance trio who perform ...

(Alice Elizabeth Peden) (1906–1963), part of

Wilson, Keppel and Betty Wilson, Keppel and Betty formed a popular British music hall and vaudeville act in the middle decades of the 20th century. They capitalised on the fashion for Ancient Egyptian imagery following the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun. The " ...

, a British music hall and vaudeville act * Betty Kuuskemaa (1879–1966), Estonian actress * Betty Moschona (1927–2006), Greek actress *

Bettie Page Bettie Mae Page (April 22, 1923 – December 11, 2008) was an American model who gained notoriety in the 1950s for her pin-up photos.

(1923–2008), American pin-up and fetish model * Betty Stockfeld (1905–1966), Australian actress *

Betty White Betty Marion White (January 17, 1922December 31, 2021) was an American actress and comedian. A pioneer of early television, with a television career spanning almost seven decades, White was noted for her vast work in the entertainment indus ...

(1922–2021), American actress, best known for ''

Life with Elizabeth ''Life with Elizabeth'' is an American television sitcom starring Betty White as Elizabeth and Del Moore as her husband Alvin; Jack Narz is the on-camera announcer and narrator. The series aired in syndication from October 7, 1953, to Septemb ...

'', ''

The Mary Tyler Moore Show ''The Mary Tyler Moore Show'' (also known simply as ''Mary Tyler Moore'') is an American television sitcom created by James L. Brooks and Allan Burns and starring actress Mary Tyler Moore. The show originally aired on CBS from 1970 to 1977. ...

'' and ''

The Golden Girls ''The Golden Girls'' is an American sitcom created by Susan Harris that aired on NBC from September 14, 1985, to May 9, 1992, with a total of 180 half-hour episodes, spanning seven seasons. With an ensemble cast starring Bea Arthur, Betty W ...

'' *

Betty Who Jessica Anne Newham (born 5 October 1991), known by her stage name Betty Who, is an Australian musician, singer and songwriter. After independently releasing her debut single, " Somebody Loves You" (2012), and her debut extended play, '' The ...

(born 1991), Australian-American singer and musician *

Betty Wright Bessie Regina Norris (December 21, 1953 – May 10, 2020), better known by her stage name Betty Wright, was an American soul and R&B singer, songwriter and background vocalist. Beginning her professional career in the late 1960s as a teena ...

(1953–2020), American soul and R&B singer and songwriter *

Betty (singer) Elizabeth Danielyan (Armenian: Էլիզաբեթ Դանիելյան, born 7 March 2003), better known as simply Betty (Armenian: Բեթթի), is an Armenian singer. She represented Armenia in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Malta wit ...

(born 2003), Armenian child singer

Politicians and activists

Betty Apiafi Betty Jocelyne Okagua - Apiafi (born 19 February 1962) is a Nigerian politician, economist, retired banker and educationist. Apiafi was elected to the Nigerian Senate for Rivers West Senatorial District in 2019. She has also served as a Hou ...

(born 1962), Nigerian MP and educator * Betty de Boer (born 1971), Dutch politician *

Betty Boothroyd Betty Boothroyd, Baroness Boothroyd (born 8 October 1929) is a British politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for West Bromwich and West Bromwich West from 1973 to 2000. From 1992 to 2000, she served as Speaker of the House of ...

(born 1929), British MP and former Speaker of the House of Commons *

Betty Friedan Betty Friedan ( February 4, 1921 – February 4, 2006) was an American feminist writer and activist. A leading figure in the women's movement in the United States, her 1963 book ''The Feminine Mystique'' is often credited with sparking the se ...

(1921–2006), American feminist and author of ''The Feminine Mystique'' * Betty Hall (1921–2018), American politician * Bettie Hewes (1924–2001), Canadian politician * Betty Komp (born 1949), American politician * Betty Ray McCain (1931-2022), American politician *

Betty McCollum Betty Louise McCollum (born July 12, 1954) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for , serving since 2001. She is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL). McCollum's district centers on St. Paul, Minnesota' ...

(born 1954), American politician * Betty Shabazz (1934–1997), American educator and civil rights advocate, wife of Malcolm X *

Betty Williams (Nobel laureate) Elizabeth Williams ( Smyth; 22 May 1943 – 17 March 2020) was a peace activist from Northern Ireland. She was a co-recipient with Mairead Corrigan of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 for her work as a cofounder of Community of Peace People, an ...

(born 1943), North Irish peace activist *

Betty Williams (politician) Betty Helena Williams (née Williams; born 31 July 1944) is a Welsh Labour politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Conwy from 1997 to 2010. Early life Williams was born in St David's Hospital, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales. She attended Ysg ...

(born 1944), Welsh politician and MP

Visual artists

* Bettie Cilliers-Barnard (1914–2010), South African abstract artist *

Betty Curnow Elizabeth Jamaux Curnow (née Le Cren; 31 October 1911 – 24 September 2005), commonly known as Betty Curnow, was a New Zealand artist. Background Born in Timaru, New Zealand, Curnow was the daughter of Charles John Le Cren and Daisy Le Cre ...

(1911–2005), New Zealand painter and printmaker * Betty Muffler (born 1944), Aboriginal Australian artist and healer *

Betty Parsons Betty Parsons (born Betty Bierne Pierson, January 31, 1900 – July 23, 1982) was an American artist, art dealer, and collector known for her early promotion of Abstract Expressionism. She is regarded as one of the most influential and dynamic f ...

(1900–1982), American artist, art dealer, and collector

People in other fields

* Madeleine Passot "Betty" (1914–2009), French Resistance agent * Acid Betty (born 1977), American drag queen * Betty Ang, Filipina businesswoman *

Betty Bentley Beaumont Betty Beaumont (, Bentley; 9 August 1828 – 6 September 1892) was a 19th-century British author, merchant, cotton factor and hotel owner. After immigrating to the U.S., she became a successful merchant of Woodville, Mississippi. Beaumont was th ...

(1828–1892), British author, merchant *

Betty Ford Elizabeth Anne Ford (; formerly Warren; April 8, 1918 – July 8, 2011) was the first lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977, as the wife of President Gerald Ford. As first lady, she was active in social policy and set a precedent as a pol ...

(1918–2011), First Lady of the United States, wife of Gerald Ford * Betty Jackson (born 1949), British fashion designer * Betty Joseph (1917–2013), British psychoanalyst *

Betty Klimenko Betty Saunders-Klimenko (born 1959) is an Australian businessperson and motorsport team owner who runs the Erebus Motorsport squad in the Supercars Championship. In 2017, she became the first female team owner to win the Bathurst 1000. Klimenko ...

(born 1959), Australian businessperson and motorsport team owner * Betty Linderoth (1822–1900), Swedish clockmaker *

Betty MacDonald Betty MacDonald (born Anne Elizabeth Campbell Bard; March 26, 1907 – February 7, 1958) was an American author who specialized in humorous autobiographical tales, and is best known for her book ''The Egg and I''. She also wrote the '' Mrs. Piggle ...

(1908–1958), American author * Betty Mitchell (1896–1976), Canadian theatre director and educator * Betty Siegel (1931–2020), American author, and president of Kennesaw State University * Betty (slave) (c. 1738–1795), one of Martha Washington's slaves * Bettie, a black cook at the Battle of the Alamo - see List of Texian survivors of the Battle of the Alamo * Lady Betty (Lady Elizabeth Hastings) (1682–1739), philanthropist * Lady Betty ( Elizabeth Sugrue) (c. 1740/1750–1807), Irish executioner

Fictional characters

* Betty, a character in the 1991 American comedy movie ''

What About Bob? ''What About Bob?'' is a 1991 American black comedy film directed by Frank Oz and starring Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss. Murray plays Bob Wiley, a troubled patient who follows his self-centered psychotherapist Dr. Leo Marvin (Dreyfuss) on ...

'' * Betty (Naked Brothers Band), in the TV series '' The Naked Brothers Band.'' * Betty, the title character of the comic strip ''Betty'' (1920–1943) by Charles A. Voight * Betty, the title character of '' Yo soy Betty, la fea'', a Colombian soap opera, basis for the US TV series ''Ugly Betty'' * Betty, the antagonist of the comedy film ''

Kung Pow! Enter the Fist ''Kung Pow! Enter the Fist'' is a 2002 American martial arts comedy film that parodies Hong Kong action cinema. Written, directed by and starring Steve Oedekerk, it uses footage from the 1976 Hong Kong martial arts film '' Tiger & Crane Fists'' ...

'' (2002) *

Atomic Betty ''Atomic Betty'' (retitled ''Atomic Betty: Mission Earth'' for its third and final season) is a Canadian-French Flash animated television series produced by Atomic Cartoons, Breakthrough Entertainment and Tele Images Kids, along with the Marath ...

or 'Betty Barrett', Cartoon Network-Teletoon's first child superhero *

Boxcar Betty __NOTOC__ Ben Lewis Reitman M.D. (1879–1943) was an American anarchist and physician to the poor ("the hobo doctor"). He is best remembered today as one of radical Emma Goldman's lovers. Reitman was a flamboyant, eccentric character. Emma Goldm ...

(Boxcar Bertha), a fictional hobo and Industrial Workers of the World organizer * Brickhouse Betty, the title character from the animated cartoon series featured on Playboy TV and the Internet *

Betty Blue ''Betty Blue'' (french: 37°2 le matin, lit=37.2°C in the morning) is a 1986 French erotic psychological drama film directed by Jean-Jacques Beineix, based on the 1985 novel ''37°2 le matin'' by Philippe Djian. The film stars Béatrice Dall ...

, the main character of the film ''Betty Blue'' * Betty Boop, a Paramount Pictures cartoon character *

Betty Brant Elizabeth Brant is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, usually in stories featuring the superhero Spider-Man. She is the personal secretary of J. Jonah Jameson at the ''Daily Bugle'', and served ...

, a Marvel Comics supporting character * Betty Burke, a character from '' Power Rangers Beast Morphers'' * Betty Childs-Skolnic, a character in the ''

Revenge of the Nerds ''Revenge of the Nerds'' is a 1984 American comedy film directed by Jeff Kanew and starring Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Ted McGinley, and Bernie Casey. The film's plot chronicles a group of nerds at the fictional Adams College trying ...

'' film series *

Betty Cooper Elizabeth "Betty" Cooper is one of the main characters appearing in American comic books published by Archie Comics. She is the lead guitarist, percussionist and one of the three singers of The Archies. The character was created by Bob Montana ...

, a comic book character published by Archie Comics *

Betty Draper Elizabeth "Betty" Hofstadt Francis (formerly Draper) is a fictional character on AMC's television series '' Mad Men'', wife of Don Draper ( Jon Hamm) and mother of his three children. Blonde and beautiful but emotionally distant and immature, s ...

, a character in the TV series ''Mad Men.'' * Betty Eagleton, a character in the British soap opera ''

Emmerdale ''Emmerdale'' (known as ''Emmerdale Farm'' until 1989) is a British soap opera that is broadcast on ITV1. The show is set in Emmerdale (known as Beckindale until 1994), a fictional village in the Yorkshire Dales. Created by Kevin Laffa ...

'' *

Betty Gordon The Betty Gordon books were an early Stratemeyer Syndicate series, published under the pseudonym Alice B. Emerson. Ghostwriters Edward Stratemeyer Edward L. Stratemeyer (; October 4, 1862 – May 10, 1930) was an American publisher, writ ...

, the protagonist of a series of children's novels * Betty Kane, now known as

Bette Kane Mary Elizabeth Kane, better known as Bette Kane, is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in the 1960s as "Betty Kane", the Bat-Girl. Her name was later modified to "Bette Kane", an ...

* Betty Lou, a muppet character on ''

Sesame Street ''Sesame Street'' is an American educational children's television series that combines live-action, sketch comedy, animation and puppetry. It is produced by Sesame Workshop (known as the Children's Television Workshop until June 2000) and ...

'' * Betty Rizzo, a character in the film '' Grease'' (1978), played by Stockard Channing *

Betty Ross Elizabeth "Betty" Ross (later Talbot and then Banner) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and made her first appearance in ''The Incredible ...

, Bruce Banner's love interest in the Hulk comics *

Betty Rubble Betty Rubble is a fictional character in the television animated series ''The Flintstones'' and its spin-offs and live-action motion pictures. She is the black-haired wife of caveman Barney Rubble and the adoptive mother of Bamm-Bamm Rubble. He ...

, a ''Flintstones'' character * Betty Slug, the lead character in the Canadian comic strip '' Betty'' * Betty Smith, a character in the TV series ''

Littlest Pet Shop Littlest Pet Shop is a toy franchise and cartoon series owned by Hasbro. The original toy series was produced by Kenner in the early 1990s. An animated television series was made in 1995 by Sunbow Productions and Jean Chalopin Creativite et Deve ...

'' * Betty Spencer, the wife of Frank Spencer in the British sitcom ''

Some Mothers do 'ave 'em ''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'' is a British sitcom broadcast on BBC1, created and written by Raymond Allen (scriptwriter), Raymond Allen and starring Michael Crawford and Michele Dotrice. It was first broadcast in 1973 and ran for two series, inc ...

'' * Betty Suarez, the title character and heroine of the TV series ''Ugly Betty'' * Betty Sutton, a character in the 1995 American romantic drama movie '' A Walk in the Clouds'' * Betty Lou Who, a character in the 2000 American Christmas fantasy comedy movie '' How the Grinch Stole Christmas'' * Betty Williams (''Coronation Street''), in the British soap opera ''

Coronation Street ''Coronation Street'' is an English soap opera created by ITV Granada, Granada Television and shown on ITV (TV network), ITV since 9 December 1960. The programme centres around a cobbled, terraced street in Weatherfield, a fictional town based ...

References

{{given name English feminine given names English given names Hypocorisms