• let’s talk betsey

Mary_Rose · December 16, 2023, 6:47pm

A new day, a new [name_f]Mary[/name_f] name crush: [name_f]Betsey[/name_f]! I love her sweet Dickensian feel and the fact that she’s familiar without being overused (in the UK at least, I know she’d be considered a more ‘out there’ choice to berries across the pond). But one cannot simply add a name to a list without asking for expert opinions, so here goes!

What are your initial impressions of [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] as a stand-alone? What imagery comes to mind (in written or emoji form)?
What middle names would you pair with her?
I reaaaally prefer [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] to [name_f]Betsy[/name_f], do they have different imagery to you or is that just me?!

Thank you in advance lovelies

EdgeOfTheMeadow · December 16, 2023, 7:26pm

Tee hee!

[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] as a standalone name: yes! Now I happen to adore [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] and many of her nicknames, so I’d have my cake and eat it. However, I am definitely a proponent of using a name you love with no need for a different (formal, longer) name on the birth certificate, so if you’re all about [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] then [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] it is!
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] makes me think of a little one with long brown hair in a bow (like your PFP!), soulful eyes with a sweet but mischievous personality!

I don’t find [name_f]Betsy[/name_f] significantly different to the spelling you prefer, although [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] seems more firmly a full name, being more elaborate in itself.

Some middle ideas:

[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Katrin[/name_f], [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Katrin[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Lyla[/name_f], [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Lilah[/name_f] [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Nina[/name_f], [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Nina[/name_f] [name_f]Juliet[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Wrenna[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Erinna[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Estelle[/name_f], [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Arla[/name_f] [name_f]Estelle[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Maren[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Maeve[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Marceline[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Aneira[/name_f], [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Aneira[/name_f] [name_f]Pomeline[/name_f]

Mary_Rose · December 16, 2023, 7:52pm

…ok but [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Lilah[/name_f] [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] and [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Nina[/name_f] [name_f]Juliet[/name_f] are literally two of the best names I have ever heard?!

somemelodioussonnet · December 16, 2023, 9:08pm

I’m “across the pond”, and I think [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] is sweet and ready for a comeback!

[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Ann[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Caroline[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Denise[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Dianna[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Evelin[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Kerrin[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Mairead[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Niamh[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Rebecca[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Sarah[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Tanya[/name_f]

Mary_Rose · December 16, 2023, 9:13pm

[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] is adorable

emeraldsea · December 16, 2023, 9:47pm

first of all, i love this spelling! she’s all…

here are some combination ideas…

betsey june
betsey cricket
betsey willodean
betsey mabel
betsey clementine
betsey olive
betsey magnolia
betsey lillian
betsey georgia
betsey alice
betsey florence
betsey darling
betsey ruth

ellerbea · December 16, 2023, 9:50pm

American here who also loves Bets(e)y as a full name, though I admit I love the [name_f]Betsy[/name_f] spelling more! To me she’s both sweet and lively and works super well as a standalone.

Various ideas based on your style …

[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Gloria[/name_f], [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Gloria[/name_f] [name_f]Honey[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Marilla[/name_f], [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Marilla[/name_f] [name_f]Faye[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Opaline[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_u]Willow[/name_u]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_f]Maeve[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_u]Kit[/name_u]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_u]Evelyn[/name_u]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Junia[/name_f], [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Junia[/name_f] [name_f]Faye[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Miriam[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f] [name_f]Avonlea[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_u]Saffron[/name_u]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Clover[/name_f], [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] [name_f]Clover[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Olive[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Helena[/name_f], [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Helena[/name_f] [name_f]Pearl[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Lucasta[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f]

emeraldsea · December 16, 2023, 9:55pm

okay, came back because i had to add betsey cricket june! probably not your style, but i think it’s the cutest!

Greyblue · December 16, 2023, 10:08pm

Betsy gives me cosy and warm vibes; it’s sweet but with a hint of spark and sass; it’s quirky but could be grounded too. I do think of Betsey Trotwood and I am getting the imagery of the 2020 David Copperfield movie but also

Betsey Caroline Mavis
Betsey Matilda Constance
Betsey Louisa Fable
Betsey Adelaide Camille
Betsey Florence Jemima
Betsey Ginevra Pearl
Betsey Holiday Jane
Betsey Miriam Adair
Betsey Georgiana Ruby
Betsey Nadine Amelie
Betsey Wilhelmina Mabel
Betsey Maeve Iris
Betsey Lara Leonie
Betsey Carys Juniper
Betsey Olive Susannah
Betsey Fable Louisa

I think Betsey has more of that ‘quirky’, literary vibe - a bit more colourful?

Lisa_Michelle · December 17, 2023, 1:09am

I actually think less Dickinson and more retro even almost pinup or punkish vibe (likely because Betsey Johnson). Almost like how in the 80s the 50s was cool and retro. Like the friend of Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink and that vibe and look. I like it overall.

I think I maybe like the Betsey spelling slightly more, mainly because Betsy looks a little like “Besty” to me…but I’m sort of 50/50, either way.

To me Betsey is like:

Betsey Jean
Betsey Ann/e
Betsey Lou
Betsey Sue

OctaviaMay · December 17, 2023, 7:58am

[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] is super sweet! I think I slightly prefer [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] “Betsey”, just because I like the option of a less nicknamey first. [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] as a standalone is also lovely though. She feels artsy, spunky, and charming. I think of the Betsey-Tacy books and [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] Trotwood from [name_u]David[/name_u] Copperfield.

I really like her paired with a romantic, flowy middle.

[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Rosamund[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Avonlea[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Coppelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Paloma[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Josephine[/name_f]
[name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Cosette[/name_f]

I actually like [name_f]Betsy[/name_f] better, something about the repetition of Es in Betsey throws aff the look for me. However, they both have pretty much the same vibe.

Nina_Alexandra_2005 · December 17, 2023, 2:57pm

I don’t think you should use it as a whole name. [name_f]My[/name_f] grandmother was named [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], but called [name_f]Betsy[/name_f] her whole life and hated it, so I can’t help having that in mind, but it could easily work as a nickname for [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f].
I’ve never heard it spelled “Betsey”, but [name_f]Betsy[/name_f] makes me think of the [name_f]Betsy[/name_f] [name_f]Tacy[/name_f] [name_u]Tib[/name_u] books, so I would picture a slightly plump, early 1900s little girl with two braids with bows at the end and wearing an old fashioned frock. She would like going on picnics, writing, and drawing, and be friendly and outgoing.

kmdharrington · December 17, 2023, 5:13pm

They have incredibly different imagery and vibes to me. I’m personally Team Betsy. Betsey to me echos back to before spelling was stabilized, Manuscripts are harder for my modern eyes to read they had yet to decide that for instance sudden isn’t spelled suddain. Because of this association that I have tying names like Betsey to Early Modern English, the aesthetics I associate with it are likewise rooted in the 16th to the first half of the 19th centuries.

heartwings · December 17, 2023, 6:22pm

I actually prefer [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] to [name_f]Betsy[/name_f]. [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] feels 1600-1700s to me. Also a bit medieval

Mary_Rose · December 17, 2023, 6:34pm

@emeraldsea I adore [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Lillian[/name_f]! I also thought of [name_f]Clementine[/name_f], those two just go together somehow. [name_u]Cricket[/name_u] is actually an honour name for me (very long story)!
@ellerbea [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_u]Willow[/name_u] is stunning, straight onto the list!!
@Greyblue oh I loved that [name_u]David[/name_u] Copperfield movie, [name_f]Betsey[/name_f] [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] [name_u]Camille[/name_u] is wonderful