Meaning: Its source is Elisheva, a Hebrew name meaning "God's promise."

Languages: This girl's name is used in English.

Nickname For: Elizabeth

Popularity: The name Betsy ranked 430th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

This name is highly rated in the 1990 U.S. Census popularity survey of all ages, but after 1960 does not appear in the state data listing the most popular baby names.

Narrative: Other suggested meanings still relate to the fulfillment of a promise. They include ''God's satisfaction'' and ''God's perfection.''

Until the 16th-century reign of England's Queen Elizabeth I, this name was most commonly spelled with an ''s'' in the middle. Such was the popularity of Good Queen Bess that her spelling has reigned supreme ever since.

Speaking of Bess, this name is the Mother of All Nicknames, Spellings and Alternate Forms. We've counted close to 70 so far, and we are still looking!