View Message

[Opinions] Elizabeth
I've fallen in love again with Elizabeth. The problem is that I don't like any of its nicknames. I mean I have nothing against Lily, Liza and Ella but I see them as names in their own right, not as nicknames. I would never want to shorten it but I guess once she started school I couldn't control it because she might want to call herself Lizzie or Betty. Do you think I should still use it?I never hear Elizabeth much even though it's in the top 20. I guess most of the girls who were named Elizabeth go by Lizzie or another nickname. I only know two girls who are called Elizabeth, one is a baby and the other is 9 or 10.How many do you know? Do any go by their full names and how old are they? Is it too common?
Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

I know and have known a number of them and they vary. Some actually do go by their full name. It starts by insisting on the full name. They vary in ages. It's common, but not frighteningly so.
vote up1
I've known lots of Elizabeths over the years. My sister is an Elizabeth, but she goes by Beattie. I know lots who go by Liz, one who goes by Lizzy, one by Betsy, a couple by Eliza, one by Betty, one by Biz, and one by Eboo. I can only think of one who strictly goes by Elizabeth. I love it, though. So beautiful.
vote up1
Oh, how I love Elizabeth. I really think it's one of the best names out there. Let's see now. My mother is an Elizabeth, nn Liz. I know a handful Elizabeths within 10 years of my age who go mostly by Liz or Beth.I know three Elizabeths under 10. One is called Betsy 100% of the time, but the other two are always Elizabeth, no nn. I believe more and more young Elizabeths are going by their full names; I saw one in a restaurant just the other day with her four sisters. They all used their proper names (Charlotte, Madeleine, Elizabeth, Sarah, and one I didn't catch) without nicknames, and it was freakin' adorable to hear the little ones lisping out "Elizabeth." Don't worry about the nn thing--use Elizabeth!
vote up1
One of my oldest friends is Elizabeth, nn Liz, as is my oldest cousin.Elsie is one of my tippy top favorite names so I'd love to see it being used. But if not, there are so many other great possibilities like Bette, Libby, Lee, Lily (from Lilibet), Bess, etc.Of course you should still use it. The beauty of a name like Elizabeth is that she can have a hundred different nns during her lifetime. Why shouldn't her mother's "nn" for her be Elizabeth? I think it would be so sweet.

This message was edited 12/27/2011, 3:09 PM

vote up1
I know a few, all different age groups- from baby to 50s plus. But it is rarer on young girls/ babies in my area and I'm always surprised by it's current status on the popularity lists.
The younger girls seem to be called Lizzie, but the older ones Liz. I also know one who goes by Beth and another one who uses Lisa ( but I believe her name is spelled Elisabeth).
I prefer the Elisabeth spelling, as I like the nn Elisa.
vote up1
I love Elizabeth. It's just so classic and elegant. I love it whole with no nickname, but I would use one sometimes, too. My favorite currently is Beth. I used to prefer Liz / Lizzie.Woah, I know tons of Elizabeths, mostly around my age (probably because most of the people I've ever known are around my age). Most went by Liz, and I've also known an Eliza, Ellie, Betsy, and a few Beths. I don't think I've ever known any who never used any nickname. I wouldn't say it's a name that's too common, although it's also the sort of name whose popularity I wouldn't care about since it's not a trending name.
vote up1
SchatzyMy mother's youngest sister is Elizabeth. Her husband and friends call her Liz but her closest family call her Schatzy because of a childhood nickname/story. My middle name is Elizabeth and I always wanted to go by Eliza, but I'm stuck as Kaitlyn. lol I love the name though. I don't hear it often (except in period pieces) and I think it sounds so regal.
vote up1
Most of the Elizabeths I know go by Liz -- they're predominantly my age (21), though one of them is 60. I also know one who goes by Liza, two or three by Libby, and a few by Elizabeth (including my best friend, who introduced herself as Elizabeth when she got to college, only to be reduced reflexively to Liz by everyone; I've started calling her Elizabeth).I wish I knew more people who went by Bess / Bessie, Betsy, or Betty! I myself adore Elisabeth (strictly this spelling) both in full form and occasionally reduced to the aforementioned "B" nicknames.
vote up1
I know three Elizabeths. Libby is almost 50, Liz is in her early 40s and Elizabeth is 21.Now that you bring it up, I never really hear Elizabeth being used. I'm just going to assume that most young Elizabeths go by Ella, Ellie or their middle name.
vote up1
I love Elizabeth and think Libby is the best nn
It's not common among babies today and in any case has so many distinguishing nns - Elsa is another nice one.
Fave Elizabeth combo - Elizabeth Ivy

This message was edited 12/27/2011, 9:55 AM

vote up1
I love Elizabeth as well, especially the spelling Elisabeth. I would use the nickname Ellie. I know several women with the first name Elizabeth, and even more with the middle name Elizabeth. Many go by Liz or Beth. My sister is Elizabeth, but goes by her middle name. Most of the Elizabeths I know are between 18 and 25, but I know older ones too.I believe all of them go by nicknames, but I don't think it's too unwieldy to use without a nickname. It seems to me though, that if you dislike a particular nickname, you should at least use a short form you like from time to time. Then at least she'll have a starting point once she gets to school.
vote up1
My brother-in-law's stepdaughter is named Elizabeth. She is 14, and doesn't go by a nickname.
vote up1
My coworker is Elizabeth. There are two students (used to be another) who are all Lizzie. I think there is a five year old who is always Elizabeth, though.
I don't see Lily or Ella as nns for Elizabeth. Liza to me is the Russian nn, so I don't know how many people would use it automatically, like with Lizzie. I think the use of nns can be situational. People seem to use them more for kids than adults, especially in the work place. Also, if someone introduces themselves one way, that's what people will call them.
vote up1
Liza is also an English name. I know, I don't see Lily and Ella as nicknames for Elizabeth either :)
vote up1
Yes, but as a nn for some form of Elizabeth, imo, it's more Russian than English.
vote up1
I only know one Elizabeth. She's my cousin's daughter. She's 3 years old and they always call her Elizabeth, although I think my aunt calls her Liz sometimes. But throughout the family she's called Elizabeth.
vote up1
My name is Allison Elizabeth and I go by Allibeth.I had a friend when I was in school (in the 90's) who was named Elisabeth,
she occasionally went by Lis, but only with friends and not all the time.I have a cousin named Elizabeth and she only uses the full name as far as I know. I have met a few others with the name and they were introduced as Elizabeth.
vote up1