I am baffled by the responses on NB to the name [name_f]Bess[/name_f]. People on NB seem to find it repulsive. To me it is rather fresh, a possible comeback. [name_f]My[/name_f] associations are Good [name_f]Queen[/name_f] [name_f]Bess[/name_f], some vague jazz singer reference, and a musical I’ve never seen (Porgy & [name_f]Bess[/name_f]) that has my favorite song, Summertime.
I have seen on NB that [name_f]Bess[/name_f] is a name for cows or servants! When I google search [name_f]Bess[/name_f] there are no cows or servant references to this name. Where does that come from?! (If it’s not in the results of a google search…?) And more importantly, does anyone else think [name_f]Bess[/name_f] is a refreshing NN for [name_f]Elisabeth[/name_f]?
I really like [name_f]Bess[/name_f]! I think of [name_f]Bess[/name_f] of Hardwick, and [name_f]Queen[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] I; the two most powerful women in [name_f]England[/name_f] during that era. I also think of the musical, but I’ve never seen it either (it was an answer on a quiz show :P). It’s really close to [name_f]Beth[/name_f] too, which I love! For me, pretty much anything other than [name_f]Lizzy[/name_f]/[name_f]Liz[/name_f] is a refreshing nn for [name_f]Elisabeth[/name_f]/[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f].
I adore [name_f]Bess[/name_f], [name_f]Bessie[/name_f], [name_f]Betsy[/name_f] and [name_f]Betty[/name_f] - all ones that I think are disliked on Nameberry I ignore the negative comments with [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] to be honest - it was once a top name in the United States, so obviously it’s not just for cows I think [name_f]Bess[/name_f] is the same.
By no means do I have an intense hatred for the name [name_f]Bess[/name_f], but it has a strong association to cows for me, as I grew up in the Midwest. I had friends who lived/worked on dairy farms where there were multiple cows named [name_f]Bess[/name_f]/[name_f]Bessie[/name_f]. The cow association is too strong for me to ever forget. That being said, I think [name_f]Betsy[/name_f] and [name_f]Betty[/name_f] are refreshing nicknames for [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f].
I also think it’s ripe for a comeback! But I do get the cow vibe, which almost holds me back from considering it. Give it time and the naysayers will be singing a different tune.
Ha, I think I’m the one who made the cows and servants comment. Let me expound a little:
A big part of the reason that I personally dislike the name [name_f]Bess[/name_f] is that my middle name is the similar [name_f]Beth[/name_f]. I’ve always really, really disliked it–it’s just such a bland, boring sound. At the same time, I love [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], and think it’s cool that there are so many variations and nicknames. [name_f]My[/name_f] favorite part just happens to be the first half (especially the Z.)
As for cows and servants: yep, cows and servants. Those are just the images that immediately spring to mind when I hear “[name_f]Bess[/name_f],” and I don’t think I’m alone there (at least in terms of cows.) Obviously, I know the name [name_f]Bess[/name_f] was hardly exclusive to cows and kitchen maids, and am aware of several non-cow, non-servant historical figures named/nicknamed [name_f]Bess[/name_f]. But they aren’t what I immediately think of when I hear the name.
Obviously, my opinion isn’t the one that matters here–if you love [name_f]Bess[/name_f], you love [name_f]Bess[/name_f]. I would just advise that if you ever actually use it on a child, that you give that child some backup options, (a more easily wearable middle or the full [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]) just in case.
@colls39 thanks for so much for this. I’ve never been to a dairy farm in my life. I didn’t know cows were nicknamed [name_f]Bess[/name_f]/[name_f]Bessie[/name_f]. It doesn’t bother me but I totally get how it would be etched in memory for you.
@geeknamezyo thanks for your clarification! I totally get how [name_f]Bess[/name_f] has several negative points for you. Its reassuring that stuff like cows and kitchen maids might be regionally relevant. It bears consideration but it’s not a deal-breaker for me.
I really love [name_f]Bess[/name_f]! I’m not a fan of [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] for personal associations, but I would love it as a nickname for [name_f]Elisabeth[/name_f]!
Although I personally like [name_f]Bess[/name_f]/[name_f]Bessie[/name_f]. The one person I know that is actually named [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] hates her name. I think the reason is the cow reference.
I really like Bess- I know a charming Bess (about 18), and she certainly owns her name. Bess / Bessie is a stereotypical, uninventive heifer name like Daisy, Clarabel, Maribel, etc. It actually doesn’t get used that much- like dogs being named Rover. I take great pride in naming my gorgeous herd: Celia, Domino, Bunny, Albert, Edmund, George and Lewis, but I love cows (obviously) and that doesn’t really bother me. Besides, if you don’t live in a rural area, that shouldn’t be a problem. Bess is a lovely name.
Living in a very rural area Many have at least one [name_f]Bess[/name_f] on their farms - Cows, usually, Dogs, Goats, Horses, cats and Old Trucks! Many of these farmers do not have time to use the computer thus, maybe they haven’t posted as such.
I think [name_f]Bess[/name_f], [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] is adorable on Cocker spaniels’
I think within 5 or 8 years we may see more of [name_f]Bess[/name_f]. I find it a [name_f]Pleasant[/name_f] name.
What’s wrong with a little [name_f]Bess[/name_f] being nicknamed [name_f]Bessie[/name_f], exactly? Or even [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] on it’s own? [name_m]Just[/name_m] confused as to how it’s fine for a dog and not a human - because I’ve never seen this issue with names, except for maybe Rover, but I think that’s a common one?
I ignore the negative comments with [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] to be honest - it was once a top name in the United States, so obviously it’s not just for cows 
I think [name_f]Bess[/name_f] is the same.
