Bess
Fact sheet
- Name
- Bess
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 1
Bess represents a diminutive form of the biblical name Elisabeth as well as its English variant Elizabeth, meaning 'God is fullness' or 'God is perfection.'
What does the name Bess mean?
Bess is a derived form of the biblical name Elisabeth, also known as Elizabeth in English. The name means 'God is fullness' or 'God is perfection.' Especially in the English-speaking world, particularly in the USA, the form Bess is widespread. It is often used as a nickname, while it occurs less frequently as an independent first name. Notable bearers of the name include American actresses Bess Armstrong and Bess Rous. Similar variants include Bessie, Bessy, and Beth.
Where does the name Bess come from?
The name Bess has its origin in the Hebrew Elischeba, which consists of the ancient Hebrew words el, meaning 'God,' and scheba, meaning 'happiness' or 'perfection.' Ancient Hebrew
How do you pronounce Bess?
The sound and pronunciation of Bess is monosyllabic and clearly defined. In the pronunciation 'Bess' [bɛs], the open e-sound combines with a sharp final s, giving the name a distinctive note. Due to its brevity, Bess appears direct and uncomplicated. The name radiates liveliness and self-confidence - compact, striking, and with a clear profile.
When is the name day of Bess?
The most important name day for Bess is September 23.
Popularity
In Germany, Bess is a rather rare first name. In 2016, it ranked 4,471st on the list of the most common female first names. Its best ranking was achieved in 2012 at 3,656th place. In the last ten years, Bess has been given as a first name fewer than 10 times, placing it 9,317th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 7,864th.
Nicknames & pet names
Bessi / Bessie / Bessy
Famous people
- Bess Armstrong (American actress)
- Bess Bonnier (American jazz musician)
- Bess Brenck-Kalischer (poet from Germany)
- Bess Houdini (American magician)
- Bess Lomax Hawes (American musician)
- Bess Motta (American actress)
- Bess Myerson (American model)
- Bess Rogers (American musician)
- Bess Streeter Aldrich (writer from the USA)
Frequently asked questions about the name Bess
What is the meaning of the name Bess?
Bess is a derived form of the name Elisabeth and means 'God is fullness' or 'God is perfection.'
Where does the name Bess come from?
The name Bess has its origin in the Hebrew Elischeba, composed of the words for 'God' and 'perfection.'
How popular is the name Bess?
Bess is particularly common in English-speaking countries, especially in the USA, where it is often used as a nickname.