Elizabeth is a feminine given name from Hebrew that means “My God is an oath” or “My God is abundance.”
Meaning and Origin
Elizabeth is a female given name from Hebrew that has been popular in the English-speaking world since the 16th century. It entered Middle English as Elizabeth, originating from the Ancient Greek name Elisabet (Ἐλισάβετ). That Greek form represents a transliteration of Biblical Hebrew Elisheva (אלישבע or אֱלִישֶׁבַע).
The Hebrew name means “My God is an oath” or, as rendered in the Septuagint, “My God is abundance.” Its root elements relate directly to El and שבועה. The name also developed as a doublet of Elisheba and Isabel.
Pronunciation
Elizabeth is pronounced eh-LIZ-uh-beth in standard American English.
The initial syllable starts with a short vowel sound. The second syllable, LIZ, carries the primary emphasis and rhymes with fizz. The third syllable uses an unstressed neutral vowel sound. The fourth syllable, beth, rhymes with death and concludes with a soft unvoiced th sound.
Popularity in the US
In the United States, Elizabeth is most often given to girls and first appears in the SSA data in 1880. It rose rapidly during the late nineteenth century to achieve its peak rank of number 3 in 1887. The name maintained steady popularity through the mid-twentieth century, holding rank 24 in 1950 with 14,334 babies before climbing to rank 9 in 1980 with 19,529 babies and repeating rank 9 in 2000 with 15,117 babies. Usage shifted slightly in subsequent years, registering at rank 12 in 2010 with 10,283 babies, rank 16 in 2020 with 7,308 babies, and rank 17 in 2025 with 6,760 babies. Across the full timeline since 1880, a total of 1,688,757 US girls have received the name, securing its place across standard baby name guides.
| Year | US rank (girls) | Babies named Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | #24 | 14,334 |
| 1980 | #9 | 19,529 |
| 2000 | #9 | 15,117 |
| 2010 | #12 | 10,283 |
| 2020 | #16 | 7,308 |
| 2025 | #17 | 6,760 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data (names given to at least 5 babies in a year).
Nicknames
Elizabeth provides one of the broadest selections of short forms among traditional English names. Parents can select from short, upbeat options, classic diminutives, or vintage shortenings depending on personal style.
Everyday short forms include Liz, Lizzie, Liza, and Libby. Crisp one-syllable choices include Beth and Bess, while traditional options like Betsy and Betty remain widely recognized. Softer antique forms include Eliza, Ellie, Elsa, Elsie, and Birdie, each offering a distinct feel.
Famous People Named Elizabeth
Elizabeth Taylor was an acclaimed British-American actress whose film career spanned more than six decades across classical cinema. Known for classic motion pictures including National Velvet, Cleopatra, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, she won two Academy Awards for Best Actress and became an internationally recognized cultural icon.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a nineteenth-century American suffragist, abolitionist, and leading figure in the early women’s rights movement. She served as the primary author of the Declaration of Sentiments presented at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, which initiated organized campaigns for women’s suffrage across the United States.
Elizabeth Blackwell was a pioneering British-born physician who became the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States, graduating from Geneva Medical College in New York in 1849. She opened clinics to provide healthcare for underserved women and children and helped establish medical education for female students.
Middle and Sibling Names
Complementary middle names include Anne, Claire, Faith, Grace, Jane, Marie, Rose, and Amelia.
Fitting sibling names include Alexander, Charlotte, Henry, Joseph, Samuel, Victoria, William, and James.
FAQ
Which Hebrew root words form the name Elizabeth?
The name Elizabeth is derived from the Hebrew root words El and שבועה. These two components make up the ancient Biblical Hebrew name Elisheva, signifying an oath or abundance in connection with God as rendered in the Septuagint translation.
How many girls in the United States have received the name Elizabeth?
A total of 1,688,757 girls in the United States have received the name Elizabeth since 1880. That cumulative figure reflects steady annual naming choices from 1880 through 2025 across generations of American parents.
When did Elizabeth reach its highest rank compared to its 2025 standing?
Elizabeth reached its highest position at rank number 3 in 1887, whereas by 2025 it stood at rank 17. The peak in 1887 represented its highest historical position, while the count for 2025 recorded 6,760 baby girls given the name nationwide.
