The Brilliant Book of Baby Names: What’s best, what’s hot and what’s not. Linda Rosenkrantz

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СКАЧАТЬ One not-very-attractive name combined with another not-very-attractive name will usually equal a third not-very-attractive name. Bert, Bertee, Berti, Bertie, Berty.

      BERYL. Greek, ‘sea-green jewel’. World War II-period favourite. Why not try Jade as a more popular green gem choice. Barry, Beril, Berri, Berrie, Berrill, Berry, Beryle, Berylla, Beryn.

      BESS. Diminutive of ELIZABETH. Declared its independence as far back as the reign of Elizabeth I, yet now sounds less passé than Beth or Betsy. Bessa, Besse.

      BESSIE. Diminutive of ELIZABETH. After a century of association with names for horses and cows, Bessie could be ready for revival by a fearless baby namer – after all, it did happen to Jessie and Becky. Bessee, Bessey, Bessi, Bessie, Bessy.

      BETA. Greek, second letter of the Greek alphabet. If you can’t have an Alpha male, how about a Beta girl?

      BETH. Diminutive of ELIZABETH. The sweetest and most sensitive of the pet names for Elizabeth, now also one of the most dated. Betha, Bethah, Bethia.

      BETHAN. Welsh, diminutive of ELIZABETH. Very popular in Wales, this perfectly nice name’s only problem is its similarity to the dated Beth Ann.

      BETHANY. Hebrew, ‘house of figs’; also New Testament place name. Though beginning to slip on the popularity lists, this lyrical name still strikes many parents as a fresher, more substantial substitute for the overused Brittany/Brittney. Beth, Bethanee, Bethaney, Bethani, Bethanie, Bethanne, Bethannie, Bethanny, Bethenee, Betheney, Betheny.

      BETHEL. Hebrew, ‘house of God’. A rarely used Biblical place name with a soft and pleasant sound. Bethell.

      BETHESDA. Hebrew, ‘house of mercy’. Beware if you plan to move to the US – this might be too closely associated with a Maryland suburb of D.C.

      BETHIA. Hebrew, ‘daughter of Jehovah’. Long forgotten Old Testament name with modern potential. Betia, Bithia.

      BETSY. Diminutive of ELIZABETH. From Betsy Ross to the Betsy Wetsy doll, this was seen as a perkier, younger-sounding alternative to Betty. No longer. Bets, Betsey, Betsi, Betsie, Betts.

      BETTE. Dinutive of ELIZABETH. Pronounced à la Bette (Betty) Davis or Bette (Bet) Midler, a twentieth-century relic.

      BETTINA. Diminutive of ELIZABETH. Ballerina version of Betty. Battina, Betiana, Betina, Bettine.

      BETTY. Diminutive of ELIZABETH. Popular during World War II, when it blanketed the English-speaking world. Bett, Betta, Betti, Bettie, Bettye.

      BEULAH. Hebrew, ‘married’; another name for Palestine. Fatally stereotyped as a black

      Nicknames for Elizabeth

       Bess

       Bessie

       Beth

       Betsy

       Bette

       Bettina

       Betty

       Eliza

       Libby

       Lisa

       Liz

       Liza

       Lizbeth

       Lizzie

       Tibby

      maid’s name in movies and TV, the biblical Beulah would challenge the most audacious baby namer. Beula, Bewlah, Byulah.

      BEVERLY. English, ‘dweller near the beaver stream’. More visible in reference to a posh California community than as a girls’ name. Bev, Bevalee, Beverle, Beverlee, Beverley, Beverlie, Beverlye, Bevverly, Bevvy, Buffy.

      

BEVIN. Scottish, ‘sweet, melodious woman’. Possible alternative to Devin. Bev, Bevan, Bevann. International: Bébhinn (Irish Gaelic).

      BEYONCÉ. Modern invented name. The unique name of the hot young singer will not remain unique for long.

      BIANCA. Italian, ‘white’. Livelier Shakespearean version of Blanche; Blanca is a favourite in the Spanishspeaking community. Beanka, Beonca, Beyonca, Beyonka, Biancha, Bianka, Blancha. International: Blanche (French), Blanca (Spanish), Blanka (Czech).

      BIBI. French, ‘toy’ or ‘delight’; Persian, ‘lady of the house’; diminutive of BIBIANA. A spunky nickname name for parents with showbiz aspirations for their daughter. Bebe, Beebee.

      BIBIANA. Latin, ‘animated’. Melodic and unusual, and she will outgrow any bib jokes. Bibi, Bibianna, Biviane. International: Bibiane (French).

      BICE. Italian, diminutive of BEATRICE. Though Beatrice has the lovely Italian pronunciation bay-uh-TREE-chay, Bice has the problematic BEE-chay – a bit too close to ‘bitchy’.

      BICHETTE. French, ‘little doe’. Charming Gallic possibility but with some obvious playground problems.

      BIDDY. Diminutive of BRIDGET. In this country, it usually follows the word old. Biddie, Bidou.

      BIDU. Diminutive of BRIDGET. Uncommon choice too reminiscent of ‘bidet’.

      BIENVENIDA. Spanish, ‘welcome’. Somewhat unwieldy, but would certainly make your little girl feel wanted.

      

BIJOU. French, ‘jewel’, from Old English ‘bizou’. A name that lives up to its definition – a real jewel. Warning: not unheard of on poodles’ dog collars. Bijoux, Bizou.

      BILLIE. СКАЧАТЬ