Uncommon Nicknames for Elizabeth

  1. Izzy
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Isabel and Isabella
    • Description:

      The longer Isabella stays in the Top 10—and it's been there for more than a decade—the more we hear the nickname Izzy (especially if we watch Grey's Anatomy). it's just a matter of time before it stands on its own, as it has as a first name for the daughter of Eddie Murphy and Paige Butcher.
  2. Ilsa
    • Origin:

      German variation of Elizabeth
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Ilsa is remembered as the radiant but tragic heroine of "Casablanca," and it's having something of a European resurgence.
  3. Lea
    • Origin:

      Variation of Lee or Leah
    • Meaning:

      "meadow; weary"
    • Description:

      While traditionally pronounced as a homonym for Lee, Glee actress Lea Michele pronounces her name like Leah, and it may also rhyme with Freya. Regardless of your preferred pronunciation, it's interesting to note that Lea has always charted in the US Top 1000, despite coming close to the bottom a few times, making it one of the girl names starting with L that both fits in and stands out.
  4. Liesl
    • Origin:

      German diminutive of Elizabeth
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Sweet but sleek, and distinctive, Liesl is an old German nickname-name for Elisabeth. It might have once seemed inextricably tied to to its country of origin, but now, like Elsa, Enzo, Saoirse, Freya, Soren, and Heidi, it leans more towards being international and European chic.
  5. Bess
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Although she declared her independence as far back as the reign of Elizabeth I — Good Queen Bess, Bess now sounds less passé than Beth or Betsy.
  6. Bettina
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth
    • Meaning:

      "God is my oath"
    • Description:

      Bettina is a dainty ballerina version of Betty, that has not been heard much since its 1950s-60s heyday. Bettina appeared in the Danielle Steele novel Loving, and in real life as one of Grace Kelly's bridesmaids.
  7. Lizzie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Lizzie was commonly used as an independent name in the last half of the nineteenth century. Today Lizzie is still one of the most stylish short forms of Elizabeth, but few U.S. parents put it on the birth certificate.
  8. Bessie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      After a century of association with horses and cows, this name just could be ready for revival by a fearless baby namer -- after all, it did happen to Jessie and Becky.
  9. Babette
    • Origin:

      French diminutive of Barbara, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "stranger"
    • Description:

      A less common relic of the Claudette-Paulette-Annette era. Babette's Feast is a 1987 Danish film based on a Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) story about a cook who wins the lottery and prepares an elaborate feast.
  10. Liz
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Some might think a girl named Liz on her birth certificate would feel deprived of her full identity, but in a time when mini names like Liv, Kit, Tru, Kai, Lou, and Bea are in style, Liz feels substantial enough that its bearer won't feel bereft.
  11. Lizbeth
    • Origin:

      English and Spanish diminutive of Elizabeth
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      A condensed version of Elizabeth made more familiar by The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo's Lisbeth Salander.
  12. Bee
    • Origin:

      Animal name or English diminutive of Beatrice, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "she who brings happiness"
    • Description:

      We've seen Beatrice and Beatrix climb in popularity, along with traditional nickname Bea. And now there's Bee, giving it a buzzy nature world spin, plus a tie to popular late night TV''s Samantha Bee, not to mention Aunt Bee on the old The Andy Griffith Show TV show. Bee can theoretically be short for any girl names starting with B.
  13. Buffy
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Buffy was a one-time sorority girl with a roommate named Muffy, then a fearless vampire slayer, though still basically fluffy. You might think of Buffy as the feminine version of Chip or Bud -- an all-purpose nickname now buried in a mid-century time capsule.
  14. Zibby
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth
    • Description:

      Zibby is the adorable, zippy nickname for Elizabeth used for the lead female character in the film "Liberal Arts." Zibby can make a Libby for the 21st century.
  15. Zizi
    • Origin:

      African, Kiswahili
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Despite its varied cultural ties, Zizi still sounds like a cancan dancer or a fluffy lapdog.
  16. Bette
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth
    • Description:

      Pronounced a la Bette (Betty) Davis or Bette (Bet) Midler, a twentieth-century relic. Though if the equally vintage Betty comes back, Bette may be close behind.
  17. Zea
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "grain"
    • Description:

      An unusual possibility; Zea would fit right in with schoolmates named Tea and Leya.
  18. Tibby
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Cute and unusual as a nickname, but lacking the legs to stand on its own.
  19. Isby
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth, Isabella, or Isabel, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      A playful and vintage nickname for Elizabeth, Isabelle, or Isabella, if you're hoping to avoid Izzy, Lizzy, Belle, or Beth.
  20. Bizzy
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Bizzy has a 1930s wisecracking waitress -- think Mitzi, Flossie, Fanny -- feel to it, yet at the same time feels like a fresh, modern nickname for Elizabeth. Given that any Bizzy better be, this name could be a way to make your Elizabeth stand out.

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