Bess

Pronunciation: BEHS (key)

Origin of the name Bess:

A short form of Elizabeth (God is my oath), Bess is also commonly bestowed as an independent given name. It gained great popularity from its association with Queen Elizabeth I (1533 - 1603), who was known as Good Queen Bess.

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Nicknames for Bess: | Edit

Bessie, Bessy

Meanings and history of the name Bess: | Edit

(short for Elizabeth) meaning "my God is an oath" or perhaps "my God is abundance".

Famous real-life people named Bess: | Edit

Bess Truman, First Lady and wife of Harry Truman
Bess Armstrong, actress
Bessie Smith, blues singer
Bess Raleigh, wife of Sir Walter Raleigh and lady-in-waiting to another "Bess" namely Queen Elizabeth 1
Bess of Hardwick, the 3rd surviving daughter of John Hardwicke in Derbyshire
Bess Foster, close friend of Georgiana Canvendish, Duchess of Deveonshire and later second wife to William Canvendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire
Bess Flowers, actress

Bess in song, story & screen: | Edit

Bess Lawrence, daughter of Amy and Laurie in Louisa May Alcott "Jo's Boys".
Bess Marvin, best friend of amateur slueth Nancy Drew in the novels about the young detective.

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