Bettylou
A girl's name of Hebrew origin with 1,390 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Bettylou peaked during early twentieth-century America, when 81 babies received this name in a single year (1927). That era was defined by heritage-rooted naming, and Bettylou has since stepped out of the spotlight, giving it a vintage quality that many parents now find appealing.
Bettylou is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Bettylou is a girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a compound of Betty and Lou — Betty being a diminutive of Elizabeth (from the Hebrew meaning 'my God is an oath') and Lou from Louis or Louise (meaning 'famous warrior').
Bettylou is quintessentially mid-century American — the kind of compound name that was warmly fashionable from the 1930s through the 1950s, honoring multiple family members while creating a single distinctive identity. It has a sunny, all-American character that carries the innocence of that era.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Bettylou belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, approachable ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. At three syllables, it has a three-beat flow that carries a sense of formality and completeness.
Within the Hebrew naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Hebrew names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Bettylou’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Bettylou has 51+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1916.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 6 | #14796 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 49 | #5596 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 92 | #4159 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 302 | #1725 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 431 | #1103 | — |
| 1920s | 473 | #1263 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 37 | #3364 | — |
The Story of Bettylou
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1927, Bettylou is a name steeped in history. Girls named Bettylou are most likely born between 1917 and 1937.
How rare is Bettylou?
With 1,390 total births on record, Bettylou remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1916, peaked in the 1920s with 473 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Bettylou by the numbers
- Would fill 29 school buses
- Meeting one Bettylou per day would take 3.8 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(51 years, 1916–2015)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 | #14796 |
| 1967 | 6 | #6091 |
| 1965 | 5 | #6621 |
| 1964 | 5 | #6856 |
| 1963 | 6 | #5939 |
| 1962 | 10 | #4291 |
| 1961 | 9 | #4568 |
| 1960 | 8 | #4804 |
| 1959 | 10 | #4049 |
| 1958 | 5 | #6177 |
| 1957 | 16 | #2933 |
| 1955 | 5 | #5904 |
| 1954 | 7 | #4698 |
| 1953 | 9 | #3981 |
| 1952 | 10 | #3577 |
| 1951 | 8 | #4051 |
| 1950 | 22 | #2057 |
| 1949 | 12 | #3014 |
| 1948 | 12 | #2983 |
| 1947 | 33 | #1662 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bettylou a boy's or girl's name?
When was Bettylou most popular?
How popular is the name Bettylou?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1916–2015