The first name Bessie

In 2025, 15 girls were named Bessie, making it the 1,892nd most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 2014, with 32 births (#1,094).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Bessie with other names.

In 2025, 16 girls born in the United States were named Bessie, the 6,889th most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 1916, when 4,122 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Bessie Smith
  American blues singer (1892–1937)
• Bessie Coleman
  American aviator (1892–1926)
• Bessie Love
  American actress (1898–1986)
• Bessie Eyton
  Actress (1890-1965)
• Bessie Rayner Parkes
  British writer, editor, 1829–1925
• Bessie Braddock
  British Labour politician (1899-1970)
• Bessie Jones
  American folk musician and gospel singer, 1902–1984
• Bessie Rischbieth
  Australian feminist and social activist (1874-1967)
• Bessie Blount Griffin
  American physical therapist (1914-2009)
• Bessie Potter Vonnoh
  American sculptor (1872–1955)
• Bessie Hendricks
  American teacher and supercentenarian, 1907–2023
• Bessica Medlar Raiche
  American aviator, dentist, and physician (1875-1932)

What does the name Bessie mean?

From Bess + -ie.

How popular is the name Bessie?

In 2025, 15 girls born in England and Wales were named Bessie, ranking 1,892nd. Its peak was 2014, with 32 births.

Is Bessie a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a girl's name: 100% of the 170,877 US babies named Bessie since 1880 were girls.

When was Bessie most popular?

1916 in the United States, when 4,122 babies were named Bessie, its highest rank at 56th.

How do you pronounce Bessie?

Bessie is /ˈbɛsi/, 2 syllables.