Bette
/ˈbɛt/noun
A feminine given name, commonly used as a short form of Elizabeth or Betty.
Did you know?Bette is a shortened form of Elizabeth, a name ultimately built from the Hebrew elements for “God” and “oath” or “pledge.”
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
אֱלִישֶׁבַע (Elisheva)
““My God is an oath” or “my God is abundance”; a Hebrew personal name.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ἐλισάβετ (Elisabet)
“Greek form of the Hebrew personal name.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
Elisabeth
“Latinized form used in Christian texts and personal naming.”
Middle Ages
Old French
Bette
“A shortened or affectionate form of Elisabeth/Elizabeth.”
Middle English
English
Bette
“A familiar feminine name used as a diminutive of Elizabeth.”
Modern English
English
Bette
“An established feminine given name, also associated with the actress Bette Davis.”