Elizabeth: Name Guide
Quick Summary: Elizabeth is a female name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath". One of the most enduring names in Western history, it has been borne by queens, saints, and literary heroines for over two millennia.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Meaning | God is my oath |
| Gender | Female |
| Pronunciation | ih-LIZ-uh-beth |
Etymology of Elizabeth
Elizabeth derives from the Hebrew name Elisheva (אֱלִישֶׁבַע), composed of two elements: El (God) and shava (oath), often interpreted as meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance".
The name entered Greek as Elisabet in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible), then passed into Latin as Elisabeth. From Latin, it spread throughout Christian Europe in various forms, becoming one of the most widely adapted names across languages and cultures.
In the Bible, Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist and a relative of the Virgin Mary. Her story in the Gospel of Luke—conceiving in old age after years of barrenness—made the name deeply significant in Christian tradition, symbolizing divine promise and faithfulness.
History of Elizabeth
Origins and Early Use
Elizabeth appears first in the Hebrew Bible as Elisheba, wife of Aaron (Exodus 6:23), and later as the mother of John the Baptist in the New Testament. Early Christian communities adopted the name widely, honoring the biblical figure who recognized Mary's divine pregnancy.
By the medieval period, Elizabeth had become established across Europe through royal and saintly bearers. Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (1207–1231), known for her charity work, and Saint Elizabeth of Portugal (1271–1336) reinforced the name's association with piety and compassion.
Rise to Popularity
The name's royal prestige accelerated with European monarchies. Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) transformed the name into a symbol of strength, intelligence, and political acumen during the Elizabethan Age—a golden era of English culture and exploration.
| Era | Event | Impact on Name |
|---|---|---|
| 16th century | Elizabeth I's reign (1558-1603) | Elevated to symbol of national pride and female leadership in England |
| 18th century | Multiple European royal Elizabeths | Spread across aristocratic families; became standard "royal name" |
| 20th century | Elizabeth II's coronation (1952) | Reinforced as timeless, dignified choice; maintained top-20 status in US |
Modern Usage
Elizabeth has remained remarkably stable in popularity, consistently ranking in the US top 20 throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries. Unlike trendy names that surge and fade, Elizabeth represents multi-generational appeal—grandmothers, mothers, and daughters often share variations of the name.
In contemporary usage, Elizabeth is often chosen for its versatility: it provides formal elegance while offering numerous nickname options (Liz, Beth, Ellie), allowing bearers to adapt their identity across life stages and contexts.
Key insight: This name rose because it combined biblical reverence with royal prestige, and has stabilized as a "safe classic"—never overly trendy, never outdated, making it perpetually appropriate across social contexts.
Why people choose this name: People tend to choose Elizabeth when they want to convey timeless dignity and strength, especially in contexts involving tradition, leadership, and cross-generational continuity.
Variants of Elizabeth
| Language | Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English | Elisabeth, Eliza, Elise | Elisabeth is closer to original spelling |
| French | Élisabeth, Isabelle | Isabelle evolved as variant |
| Spanish | Isabel, Elisabet | Isabel is dominant Spanish form |
| German | Elisabeth, Elsbeth | Elisabeth preferred over anglicized form |
| Italian | Elisabetta | Italian maintains -betta ending |
| Russian | Elizaveta (Елизавета) | Preserves full form with Russian phonetics |
| Greek | Elisavet (Ελισάβετ) | Closest to ancient biblical form |
For digital IDs, shorter forms tend to be more practical than full international variants. Consider length, spelling clarity, and memorability.
Nicknames
Liz, Lizzie, Beth, Betty, Eliza, Ellie, Liza, Betsy, Libby, Bess
Similar Names
- Elise - French shortened form of Elizabeth
- Isabel - Medieval Occitan variant that became independent name
- Eliza - 18th-century English variant, now standalone name
Elizabeth Popularity
US Rankings (SSA Data)
| Decade | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 1900s | #6 | 4,096 |
| 1920s | #8 | 15,908 |
| 1940s | #20 | 9,956 |
| 1960s | #18 | 18,859 |
| 1980s | #9 | 19,531 |
| 2000s | #9 | 15,117 |
| 2020s | #16 | 7,299 |
| 2024s | #17 | 6,878 |
Peak: 1887, ranked #3 (2,681 births)
Current (2024): #17 (6,878 births)
Trend analysis: Elizabeth peaked in the late 19th century during the Victorian era and has maintained top-20 status for over a century. The slight decline from #9 in the 2000s to #17 today reflects a broader shift away from traditional biblical names, yet it remains far more stable than most classic names.
Note: Popularity rankings reflect birth records and do not necessarily indicate current digital usage or username availability.
Elizabeth as a Username
Availability
"elizabeth" as a username is almost always taken on major platforms due to centuries of widespread use. Expect to need variations or additions on any established service.
Variations for IDs
| Style | Example | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | elizabeth | Unlikely to be available |
| With numbers | elizabeth99, liz2024 | Gaming, casual platforms |
| Abbreviated | liz, lizzie, beth | Social media (higher availability) |
| Stylized | xlizabethx, elizabethh | Creative accounts, preserves recognition |
| Surname-style | elizabeth.smith | Professional platforms (Gmail, LinkedIn) |
Digital Impression
Elizabeth as an ID tends to project:
- Professionalism - because it's a recognized traditional name, not a coined handle
- Formality - because the full form signals deliberate, serious self-presentation rather than casual anonymity
- Timelessness - because it lacks generational markers (unlike Kayla, Nevaeh, or Jayden)
Best for: Professional networks, email addresses, formal contexts where real-name policies apply
Avoid if: you prefer highly unique or abstract usernames, or want gaming/creative anonymity.
Is Elizabeth good for a username?
Elizabeth works well as a username if you value recognition and professionalism. However, due to its ubiquity, you will almost certainly need variations like "liz", "beth.elizabeth", or "elizabeth_2024" to secure availability. For creative or gaming contexts, consider whether a nickname (Liz, Ellie) better suits the platform's culture.
FAQ
What does Elizabeth mean?
Elizabeth means "God is my oath" from Hebrew Elisheva, combining El (God) and shava (oath).
Is Elizabeth popular?
According to SSA data, Elizabeth ranks #17 in the US (2024). It is slowly declining from peak usage but remains a top-20 classic.
What are nicknames for Elizabeth?
Common nicknames: Liz, Lizzie, Beth, Betty, Eliza, Ellie, Betsy, Libby, Bess.
Is Elizabeth a boy's or girl's name?
Elizabeth is traditionally female. While rare, some modern parents use it gender-neutrally, but over 99.9% of bearers are female historically.
How do you pronounce Elizabeth?
Elizabeth is pronounced ih-LIZ-uh-beth. British English sometimes uses eh-LIZ-uh-beth with a slightly different first vowel.
Is Elizabeth good for a username?
Elizabeth works well as a username if you value tradition and professionalism, though availability typically requires variations like Liz, Beth, or adding numbers/surnames.
Related Names
- Isabel - Medieval Spanish/Portuguese variant of Elizabeth
- Eliza - Shortened 18th-century English form, now independent
- Beth - Short form, often preferred for digital IDs due to brevity
Sources: SSA Baby Names (ssa.gov), Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Behind the Name Last updated: February 2026