Curious why Bess isn’t more seen. I adore this name; it has such an abundance about it. I get that many associate Bessie with cows, though I think that’s a good one to let go of myself, but Bess…?
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Yes, I’d also think that [name_f]Bess[/name_f] would be mentioned more on the forums with the revival of “old-fashioned” names, but I think people just prefer [name_f]Betsy[/name_f] and [name_f]Betty[/name_f] (myself included), and as you said the association with cows might be too strong for some.
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I agree with this generally, but I prefer Bess to both! I only think cow when I think of Bessie.
I can only see myself using Bess as a nickname, maybe for Elizabeth or Bethany, and I do really like the name, but any of the ”full names” I can think of have other nicknames I happen to like more.
It’s a great name though and I would definitely like to see Bess get more love!
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I love [name_f]Betsy[/name_f], though not [name_f]Betty[/name_f] which sounds dry to me, but [name_f]Bess[/name_f] seems to me a name a grown woman can carry whereas [name_f]Betsy[/name_f] could be too but seems more childlike to me, a bit like [name_f]Heidi[/name_f]. If that makes any sense. 
It does make sense, I am just not a fan of [name_f]Bess[/name_f]. Something about the double s is unappealing to me. But you are right, [name_f]Bess[/name_f] definitely works on an adult as well as an elder.
I love [name_f]Bess[/name_f].
I like the character from [name_f]Nancy[/name_f] [name_u]Drew[/name_u] too.
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[name_f]Bess[/name_f] is warm and lovely! I’m surprised it’s not see more often too
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Yes, love [name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_m]Marvin[/name_m]!
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I like [name_f]Bess[/name_f], but I’m not particularly dazzled by it. I think it used to be more popular on here years ago. [name_f]Tess[/name_f] is probably what replaced it.
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[name_m]Ah[/name_m], maybe.
I think for me [name_f]Bess[/name_f] has been stereotyped in movies & stories as a large motherly type woman which isn’t the image I go for when trying to name my baby. But all it takes is one good experience to change a name image. So if you love it, I would say there’s nothing inherently wrong with the name.
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] is so cute! It’s kind of like Tess…but homey-er. Not in a bad way, though. [name_m]Just[/name_m] kind of simple & kind & down to earth w/just the right amount of energy. I do prefer it as a nn. I like it as a nn for [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f], [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] or [name_f]Beatriz[/name_f].
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I just can’t not think of a cow when I hear the name, unfortunately.
I get it. I call my animals my bessies so it is a positive animal association for me.
Bess/Bessie is commonly associated with cows, as you said. But, personally, I don’t understand why that’s an issue? [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] is a stereotypical cow name as well but it’s super trendy here in [name_f]England[/name_f], and a lot of ‘dog’ names like [name_f]Poppy[/name_f], [name_f]Luna[/name_f], [name_f]Lola[/name_f] and [name_f]Maisie[/name_f] are also very popular girl names so, I don’t think the cow aspect is what’s keeping it from use.
I honestly think it’s because one syllable girl names aren’t really ‘in’ by this point, and the ones that are, such as [name_f]Eve[/name_f], [name_f]Grace[/name_f], [name_f]Rose[/name_f] etc. are all very light and airy, whereas [name_f]Bess[/name_f] is hefty. I imagine that [name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_u]Anne[/name_u] inspire images of delicate Victorian ladies frolicking in the flowers, whereas [name_f]Bess[/name_f] is the bawdy [name_u]London[/name_u] bar wench. Which is awesome, in my personal opinion (and why Bess/Bessie is on my list), but I don’t think most people agree. - too bad for them, they’re missing out!
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I love [name_f]Bess[/name_f] and definitely agree with you that it’s under-appreciated! To me it feels warm, cozy, and friendly. I would be thrilled to meet a little [name_f]Bess[/name_f]!
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It does lend itself to the cow association for me, much like [name_f]Bessie[/name_f], although my association for [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] is more how it’s often a name given to giant, old machinery or work animals (“this here’s ol’ Bessie”) so [name_f]Bess[/name_f] gets lumped in there too. Furthermore, vintage nicknames are really not my style. I can’t get behind [name_f]Betty[/name_f] or [name_f]Betsy[/name_f] either, but I will say I like them as much as [name_f]Bess[/name_f].
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I really would like to love [name_f]Bess[/name_f], but I just think of the association of cows. I understand and appreciate [name_f]Betsy[/name_f], but unfortunately, not [name_f]Bess[/name_f].
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I love Bess! Partially inspired by Bess Marvin for sure. I go back and forth between Tess and Bess - Bess feels a bit “sunnier” which I do appreciate.
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