Elizabeth
uh-LIZ-uh-beth /ɪˈlɪz.ə.bɛθ/
Meaning of Elizabeth
Elizabeth is the English form of the Hebrew אֱלִישֶׁבַע (Elisheva): eli ('my God') + sheva ('oath, abundance'). It shares its root with Isabella — both trace to the same compound. The New Testament Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist. The name has held a US top-25 position every year since records began in 1880, making it the most continuously popular girls' name in American history.
Current popularity of Elizabeth
Rankings from the most recent fully-published year in each national registry. Source links at the foot of the page.
| Registry | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| United States (SSA) | 2024 | #17 |
| United Kingdom (ONS) | 2024 | #55 |
Cultural notes
Its many nicknames — Beth, Eliza, Liz, Bette, Libby, Lizzie — effectively make it multiple names in one and contribute to the name's enduring reach across generations.
Notable bearers of Elizabeth
Saint Elizabeth (New Testament); Queen Elizabeth I; Queen Elizabeth II; Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice, 1813).
Similar names & variants
Cognates, spelling variants and close relatives. Click any name with an underline to read its own page.
Sibling-name suggestions
Names that pair stylistically with Elizabeth — useful as middle names or for siblings.
About this entry
Compiled by the Baby Name Finder editorial team following the rules in our Methodology and Editorial guidelines. If you spot an error, please tell us; our corrections policy is at /editorial-guidelines#corrections.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-05-31