The nameElizabeth
Elizabeth is a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning "my God is abundance" or "God's promise". Borne by two queens of England, it is one of the great English classics.
- Girl's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Elizabeth comes from the Hebrew Elisheva, usually read as "my God is an oath", "God's promise" or "my God is abundance".
Origin
Hebrew, through Greek and Latin. In the Gospel of Luke, Elizabeth is the cousin of Mary and the mother of John the Baptist.
History
Queen Elizabeth I gave her name to the Elizabethan age, and Queen Elizabeth II reigned for seventy years, from 1952 to 2022. In the United States, Elizabeth has been in the top 30 almost every year since records began. Its short forms are countless: Liz, Lizzie, Beth, Betty, Bess, Eliza, Elsie and more.
Did you know?
- Elizabeth I never married and was called the Virgin Queen; the state of Virginia is named after her.
- Elizabeth Taylor married eight times, twice to Richard Burton.
Famous people named Elizabeth
- Queen Elizabeth I
- Queen Elizabeth II
- Elizabeth Bennet, heroine of Pride and Prejudice
- Elizabeth Taylor, actress
Popularity of the name Elizabeth
Elizabeth in the United States
Elizabeth was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 199,977 births over the decade, 12% of all recorded babies named Elizabeth. Half of all babies named Elizabeth in the United States were born before 1965, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 7,014 births a year on average, against 8,984 in the five years before.
Elizabeth in the United Kingdom
Elizabeth was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 15,968 births over the decade, 40% of all recorded babies named Elizabeth. Half of all babies named Elizabeth in the United Kingdom were born before 2009, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 789 births a year on average, against 1,164 in the five years before.
Elizabeth in Ireland
Elizabeth in France
Elizabeth in Belgium
Elizabeth in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Elizabeth
Names from the same generation as Elizabeth, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Elizabeth? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Elizabeth with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Elizabeth side by side with the name of your choice.
Elizabeth in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elizabeth mean?
Elizabeth comes from the Hebrew Elisheva, usually read as "my God is an oath", "God's promise" or "my God is abundance".
What is the origin of the name Elizabeth?
Hebrew, through Greek and Latin. In the Gospel of Luke, Elizabeth is the cousin of Mary and the mother of John the Baptist.
Is Elizabeth a girl's or a boy's name?
Elizabeth is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Elizabeth?
In 2024, Elizabeth was the 17th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 6,878 births.
What are the variants of the name Elizabeth?
Variants and related names of Elizabeth include Annelise, Annelyse, Betty, Eliz, Eliza, Elsie, Élyse and Francelise.
What are good sibling names for Elizabeth?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Madeline, Abigail, Maria and Ana for a sister, David, John, Samuel and Daniel for a brother.
Who are famous people named Elizabeth?
Queen Elizabeth I; Queen Elizabeth II; Elizabeth Bennet, heroine of Pride and Prejudice; Elizabeth Taylor, actress.