Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Elizabeth
GirlHebrew· “my God is an oath”
- Meaning
- my God is an oath
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- ih-LIH-zuh-buhth
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #17
- US babies 2025
- 6,760
- Best rank
- #3 (1887)
- Peak year
- 1990
Meaning and origin of Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a Hebrew name that means “my God is an oath”.
Elizabeth comes from Elisheba, the Hebrew name of Aaron's wife, meaning "my God is an oath". Through the Greek New Testament it became the name of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, and medieval saints such as Elizabeth of Hungary spread it across Europe. In England it gained lasting prestige with Queen Elizabeth I, who reigned from 1558 to 1603, and later with Queen Elizabeth II. Jane Austen's Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice added literary charm. Few names have as many nicknames: Eliza, Liz, Lizzie, Beth, Betsy, Betty, Libby and Elsie among them. Elizabeth remains a timeless, versatile classic.
Popularity over time
Elizabeth has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #3 in 1887, and the most babies received it in 1990, when 20,750 were named Elizabeth. In 2025, 6,760 babies were named Elizabeth, and it ranked #17 nationally. That is 31% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #8 in 1920, #24 in 1950, #9 in 1980, #9 in 2000, #12 in 2010, and #17 in 2025. Of the 1,688,757 US girls named Elizabeth since records began, 12% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 172,693 babies. Since 2010, 135,996 more have been named Elizabeth.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Lauren, Megan, Kayla, Stephanie, and Samantha.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Elizabeth ranked highest in Alabama, Mississippi, and Wyoming.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | #4 | 163 |
| Mississippi | #5 | 81 |
| Wyoming | #5 | 15 |
| Tennessee | #9 | 218 |
| Georgia | #10 | 291 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Elizabeth is usually pronounced ih-LIH-zuh-buhth, with four syllables. It has nine letters, starts with E and ends in “-th”.
Middle names for Elizabeth
A few middle names that flow with Elizabeth: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Elizabeth
Similar names
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Lists that include Elizabeth
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elizabeth mean?
Elizabeth is a Hebrew name that means “my God is an oath”.
What is the origin of the name Elizabeth?
Elizabeth has Hebrew roots. Elizabeth comes from Elisheba, the Hebrew name of Aaron's wife, meaning "my God is an oath".
Is Elizabeth a popular name?
Yes. Elizabeth ranked #17 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Elizabeth a boy or girl name?
Elizabeth is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Elizabeth?
Elizabeth is usually pronounced ih-LIH-zuh-buhth. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings