Message: "Bess" - Behind the Name

[Opinions] Bess

by Jae

12/21/2006, 7:54 PM

Most people seem to dislike Bessie since it reminds them of the cow, but what do you think of Bess either on its own or as a nickname for Elizabeth / Elisabeth? I personally think that it would be refreshing to hear it used for a girl born today.

#Bess

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- Pink Princess

12/22/2006, 5:40 PM

I have a Cabbage Patch doll from when I was a kid and her name is Bess. I don't mind it really. I wouldn't use it, but I agree that it would be nice on a little girl today.

- clara (guest)

12/22/2006, 5:06 AM

I have to say that i love it and i would only use it on its own, i would not register the child as Elizabeth.
Bess is seriously in the running for no4 due next year - i love it BUT Betty and Betsy are quite popula in the baby / toddler groups in my area so i am wondering if it is better avoided, lest it catch on and possibly appear faddy.
I dont know i am having a bit of a crisis about this name at the moment.

I love Bess and Bessie

love Clara

- Isla

12/22/2006, 2:19 AM

I prefer Bess to Bessie, and I can see Bess as a name on its own better than I can see Bessie, which seems more "nickname-y" to me. But I think I still prefer Bess as a nn. I knew a little girl (who's probably 10 now) named Bess, not a nn, and she could read when she was 2. Very cute, too, with blonde curls. :)

- Elena

12/22/2006, 12:52 AM

I agree with you. Bess would be adorable on a little girl born today. I'd only use it as a nick, however.

- Missy

12/22/2006, 12:17 AM

Bess is not a name I would give a child and would cringe if I heard it used on a child. I don't like the sound of it and also hate it as a nn for Elizabeth.

- lac (guest)

12/21/2006, 10:09 PM

I really don't think it's too bad. It has a pleasing sound, anyway. Unfortunately, a girl with this name probably would be teased and called Bessie.

- Array (WeloveyouJesseLacey) +3

12/21/2006, 8:04 PM

I really like Bessie--I think of Bessie Smith, who was a fabulous, fabulous singer. I like it as a nn for Bess, which I prefer on its own. I'm not very fond of Elizabeth (and I can't stand Elisabeth), but I like a lot of its short forms.

Bessie Marian or Bess Marian "Bessie" as a tribute-y name (Bessie Smith, Marian Anderson) would be really awesome, I think. :)

Array

This message was edited 12/21/2006, 8:05 PM

- Jae +1

12/21/2006, 8:14 PM

My great-grandmother was named Bessie (not short for anything). Her full name was Bessie Corina. I like the Corina part, but I don't like Bess and Bessie enough to use either one. I think that they would be great for someone else's child though.

It's actually not unusual for people in my family to be given "nicknames" as first names. My grandmother is named Josie Ellia (not Josephine) and two of her sisters were named Elsie and Rosie (Rosie passed away, but Elsie is still living). Her other siblings have longer names.

- Array (WeloveyouJesseLacey)

12/21/2006, 8:29 PM

I think those're all really lovely names! Bessie Corina especially, though I'd prefer Bessie Corinne, personally.

Array

This message was edited 12/21/2006, 8:30 PM

- Akis (guest)

12/21/2006, 8:07 PM

I was going to reply and write something about Bessie Smith too. She's really the only reason I have any fondness for the name.

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