Uncommon Nicknames for Elizabeth

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.

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.

Lilibet is the fanciful short form of Elizabeth first noted as the childhood nickname of Britain's queen and now made contemporary as the name of the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex — aka Harry and Meghan. The nickname Lilibet originally derived from Elizabeth II's first pronunciation of her own name.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Cute and unusual as a nickname, but lacking the legs to stand on its own.

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.

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.

Familiar in Mexico and South America, this short form of classic Elizabeth is familiar among Hispanic communities and is predominantly used in Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia. Appealing to those who like the French Lisette and want a lesser-used short form of Elizabeth, it was given to 115 girls in the US in a recent year.

One of the many variations of classic Elizabeth, similar to the French Lisette or English Lizette. It is predominantly used in South America, though a small handful of girls are given the name each year in the US. Also spelled Lisseth and, more popularly, Lizeth, the ending may be pronounced as -EHT or -ETH, depending on region and preference.

Bet is a short, sweet name that serves as a diminutive of Elizabeth, one of history's most enduring female names. While Beth is the more common nickname, Bet offers an even more concise alternative with historical precedent. Elizabeth originates from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning 'God is my oath' or 'pledged to God.' In earlier centuries, particularly in England, Bet was a fairly common familiar form of Elizabeth. The name has a direct, unpretentious quality to it, reflecting straightforwardness and reliability. Despite its brevity, Bet carries the rich historical and religious significance of the full name Elizabeth while maintaining a distinct personality of its own.