[name_f]Bess[/name_f] // [name_f]Bessie[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] and [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] are two of my oldest loves, ever since we had to read the poem ‘The Highwayman’ in year 3 public speaking, but it’s only recently that I’ve been considering the possibility of actually using them as full names. A few questions!
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you think either or both names stand alone?
Which would you go with as a full name? To me [name_f]Bess[/name_f] is more elegant but [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] just has… slightly more to it. Could [name_f]Bessy[/name_f] be a nn for [name_f]Bess[/name_f]?
Is it too patriotic sounding/strongly assosviated with ‘Good [name_f]Queen[/name_f] Bess’?
Combos! So far I’ve only come up with [name_f]Bess[/name_f] Catherine; it’s hard finding combos that have substance but don’t totally overshadow the full name.
Thank you!
Oh yes I totally have this association too! I do think of the Elizabeth I association but more so the time period in general than just the queen - Bess of Hardwick and Bess Throckmorton who was a courtier at the time were both prominent bearers of the name. Overall I get historical vibes in such a good way - sprigs of fragrant herbs, secret letters, pearl earrings, wandering through wild meadows, folk songs played on the lute, delicately embroidered sleeves, Shakespearean sonnets.
Personally, I’d go Elizabeth on paper with nn Bess/Bessie but I do think it could stand alone!
Bess Catherine is gorgeous and timeless, I also love the suggestion of Bess Tabitha.
I think Bessie and Bess could stand alone. Enough like Tess, Effie, Edie, Jessie, Rose, Grace, Beth, Josie, Rosie, that they work for me, and both have warmth and strength
I’d personally use Bess nn Bessie/Bessy, just because I like the short snappiness and warmth of Bess
Nah, I think it’s fine. ‘Lilibet’ feels more patriotic for Queen Elizabeth ii these days
I prefer Bess nn Bessie, it’s more refined and confident to me. I don’t think of the Queen but I agree with (and love) @persephonescrown’s glorious description - it’s more a name for the regal/wealthy golden generation.
I think [name_f]Bess[/name_f] as a stand-alone name is a wonderful idea! [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] feels a little too saccharine and precious to be a full name, but I think she’s just right as a nickname for [name_f]Bess[/name_f], [name_f]Bessa[/name_f], [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], etc.
If not [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] nn both, I would choose [name_f]Bess[/name_f] nn [name_f]Bessy[/name_f]! (Both the “ie” and “y” spellings are equally lovely—there’s just something about that cute “y” to me today.)
I don’t really think of Good [name_f]Queen[/name_f] [name_f]Bess[/name_f] (outside of the LW context of [name_u]Jo[/name_u] calling [name_f]Beth[/name_f] on occasion “Queen Bess”), and I don’t think it’s too patriotic a name. Since it’s so related to the more common beauty [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], [name_f]Bess[/name_f] feels more like a noticeable derivative of that, not a reference to the [name_f]Queen[/name_f]. Hopefully that makes sense!
I love [name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]! That’s verrrry charming. And it does feel quite royal—for better or worse. I’ll suggest:
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Annabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Marianne[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Josephine[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Felicity[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] / [name_f]Clara[/name_f] (nn [name_f]Bessy[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] would be so cute)
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Georgia[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Willa[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Noelle[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Sarah[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_u]June[/name_u]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Lily[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Beulah[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] / [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Margaret[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_u]Ivy[/name_u]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Ruthie[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Caroline[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Franny[/name_f] / [name_f]Frances[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Elise[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Daisy[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_u]Hazel[/name_u]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_u]Ruby[/name_u]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Hannah[/name_f]
1). I am going to be honest: [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] makes me think of a cow. “Good ol’ Bessie” but that might be because of the part of the US I am from.
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] makes me think of [name_f]Nancy[/name_f] Drew’s friend in the original series.
So I think [name_f]Bess[/name_f] makes a better stand-alone name.
2.) [name_f]Bess[/name_f] for sure.
3.) No, I wouldn’t think of that at all and I live in [name_u]America[/name_u].
4.)
[name_f]My[/name_f] thoughts on [name_f]Bess[/name_f]
Firstly I just have to say it does feel a bit strange writing about [name_f]Bess[/name_f] for a potential child just because my first dog was [name_f]Bess[/name_f] ‘Bessie’. She was a black mongrel her fur slightly fluffy with a white stripe down the middle. She was a border collie/German shepherd mix with other things thrown in such as Rottweiler and Labrador but she looked like a [name_m]German[/name_m] shepherd. As a kid with learning difficulties who struggled to make friends [name_f]Bess[/name_f] was my best friend. Seeing this name made me smile and think of my lovely childhood pet
Anyways onto the questions
Yes I think [name_f]Bess[/name_f] can stand on her own two feet just fine. [name_f]Bess[/name_f] has that vintage nickname flair which works with so many other vintage nickname names that are incredibly popular. I think [name_f]Bess[/name_f] works she fits right in with the likes of [name_f]Winnie[/name_f], [name_f]Edie[/name_f], [name_u]Frankie[/name_u] and [name_u]Teddy[/name_u]. Definitely think [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] could be an affectionate nickname for [name_f]Bess[/name_f] a bit like [name_f]Tess[/name_f] ‘Tessie’. Also either Bessie/Bessy spelling works but I prefer [name_f]Bessie[/name_f].
No wouldn’t even make the connection to ‘good [name_f]Queen[/name_f] Bess’ of course there’s the connection to [name_f]Queen[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] I but for me on a face value what I think of when I think of [name_f]Bess[/name_f] is quaint cottages, [name_f]English[/name_f] countryside and [name_u]William[/name_u] [name_m]Morris[/name_m] prints rather than monarchy.
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] is delightful! Some other ideas could be
I think both names can stand on their own, and, I’d use [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] myself. I don’t think it’s too patriotically [name_f]English[/name_f] though!
Bess as a full name. Honestly, I see both of them as very informal, if that bothers you. If I met a Bess/Bessie I would automatically assume they were actually an Elizabeth/Elisabeth.
Bess Catherine is quite nice. I came up with Bess Evangeline, which I like a lot. Other combos:
Thank you everyone for your feedback! Right now I’m getting a strong sense of [name_f]Bess[/name_f] nn [name_f]Bessie[/name_f], rather than [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] as a full name, which is what I was feeling too…
“The Highwayman” was also where I first encountered Bess… lovely name!
I’m seconding everything so eloquently expressed by @persephonescrown in terms of the wonderful historical vibes!
I’d also vote for [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] nn [name_f]Bess[/name_f] / [name_f]Bessie[/name_f], but I think [name_f]Bess[/name_f] could stand alone very well. (Bessie, less so.)
Absolutely loving all the lush historical middles that have been suggested, especially the 3-syllable ones with accent on the first syllable (e.g. [name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f], [name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f], [name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Magdalen[/name_f], [name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Gloria[/name_f], [name_f]Bess[/name_f] Poesy… swoon!), and adding a few more:
I think it could stand alone just as well as any other nickname name. Especially if youre UK based where nicknames are more popular.
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] feels more like a complete name. But really I feel like you could do either and still use both. (Bess nn [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] or [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] nn Bess)
As for too patriotic Im US based so I don know the reference. So no not too patriotic. JSYK In the US it is kind of a cow name, and in the past has been used as a stereotypical name for a larger woman along with [name_f]Bertha[/name_f]. I feel like that is an old and outdated stereotype and the wouldnt affect the younger generations though. But when your naming a baby I feel its nice to know all association’s.
I feel like something traditional pairs well with bess…
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Margaret[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Caroline[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Theodora[/name_f]
I absolutely adore [name_f]Bess[/name_f]! It was on my list for a long time before I changed it with [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] nn [name_f]Bess[/name_f].
I think [name_f]Bess[/name_f] is lovely as a standalone, but I prefer [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] as a nickname.
I love [name_f]Bess[/name_f] nicknamed [name_f]Bessie[/name_f]! Adorable. [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] and [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] could also be full names for [name_f]Bess[/name_f] or [name_f]Bessie[/name_f].
Definitely not, for me, at least! However, I am in the US.
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] is so pretty! I also like…
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Lydia[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_u]Marion[/name_u]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Amelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_u]Lilian[/name_u]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] Madeleine/Magdalene
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Adelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Aurora[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_u]Avery[/name_u]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Abigail[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Olwen[/name_f]
Sorry for any repeats!
I love [name_f]Bess[/name_f]! I think it stands on its own for sure. I feel like [name_f]Bess[/name_f] with the nickname [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] / [name_f]Bessy[/name_f] is the best option.
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] is lovely too!
Other thoughts -
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Margaret[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_f]Lavender[/name_f]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] [name_u]Delaney[/name_u]
[name_f]Bess[/name_f] is cute! [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] for me reminds me of a cow - probably because I grew up on a farm with a cow named [name_f]Bessie[/name_f]. That’s just me though.
[name_f]My[/name_f] great grandmother’s name was [name_f]Bess[/name_f], and she is the only [name_f]Bess[/name_f] I have ever met or heard of, so I have a very strong association with her and the name! She went by [name_f]Bess[/name_f] all of her life, but I think her legal first name was [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]. [name_f]Bess[/name_f] works as a full name or nick name in my opinion, and I think [name_f]Bessie[/name_f] would be a great nickname for [name_f]Bess[/name_f], if you chose to use [name_f]Bess[/name_f] as a first name! As an American, I have never heard the “good queen Bess” saying, but I don’t have any knowledge of how that may be perceived in the UK, if that is where you are located.
I think they could both stand alone, though Bess maybe more so.
Personally, I would go with Bess called “Bessie”. I agree that Bess is more elegant, less cutesy as a formal name, while Bessie still works as an adorable nickname.
I do think of Elizabeth I, but I don’t see it as an overtly patriotic name because of that. Not at all. But then, I’m not English, so perhaps it might feel that way across the pond.
Bess Catherine is very sweet!
I’d suggest these for a similar elegant and classic style:
Bess Adelaide
Bess Alexandra
Bess Caroline
Bess Cordelia
Bess Dorothea/Dorothy
Bess Georgina
Bess Lavinia
Bess Louisa
Bess Marguerite
Bess Victoria
!
