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

Latin, ‘blessed’. Saintly. Benita.

      BENEDICTA. Latin, ‘blessed’. Saintly, and a Mother Superior to boot. Benna, Benni, Bennie. International: Bénédicte (French), Benicia (Spanish), Benedikta (German), Benedeka, Benedika, Benke (Eastern European), Benci (Hungarian), Venedicta (Greek).

      

BENILDE. (ben-NIL-dee) French variation of Latin, ‘good’. Strong and unusual name of a medieval (male) saint and a contemporary (female) novelist, Benilde Little.

      BENITA. Latin, ‘blessed’. In fashion limbo with Anita and Juanita. Bena, Beneta, Benetta, Benni, Bennie, Benny, Binnie, Binny, Nita.

      BENJAMINA. Hebrew, ‘daughter of the right hand’. The kind of feminised male name that never caught on. Benay, Jamina. International: Bannerjee (Gaelic), Vernamina (Greek).

      BERENICE. See BERNICE.

      BERIT. Scandinavian variation of BIRGIT. Well used in northern Europe. Beret, Berette, Beri, Berry, Berta, Beryt.

      BERMUDA. Place name. Maybe if you spent your honeymoon there. We did say maybe.

      BERNADETTE. German, ‘brave as a bear’. Pleasant, feminine, but strong name associated with the saint who saw visions of the Virgin Mary, now no longer strictly inhabiting the Catholic diocese. Bern, Berna, Bernadene, Bernadina, Bernadine, Bernarda, Bernardette, Bernetta, Bernette, Berni, Bernie, Bernita, Berny, Berrie, Berry. International: Berneen (Irish), Bernardetta (Italian), Bernardita (Spanish), Bernadett (Hungarian).

      BERNADINE, BERNARDINE. German, ‘brave as a bear’. This is as dated as an old Pat Boone song. Berna, Bernadeene, Bernadina, Bernadyne, Bernardin, Bernardine, Berni, Bernideene, Bernidine, Bernie, Bernydeene, Bernydine.

      BERNARDA. German, ‘brave as a bear’. Too close in sound to the so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out Bernard. Bennie, Benny, Berna, Bernadeena, Bernadett, Bernadetta, Bernata, Bernette, Bernie, Bernina, Bernita. International: Benadette, Bernadette, Bernardine, Bernardene (French), Bernadina (Spanish), Bernharda (German and Austrian), Bernarda (Eastern European), Vernada (Greek).

      BERNICE, BERENICE. Greek, ‘she who brings victory’. Since most Bernices were called Binnie, Benny or Bunny anyway, few will notice that this old Greek name has faded away. Beranyce, Bereniece, Berenyce, Bern, Bernee, Berni, Bernie, Berry, Bunny.

      International: Bernise, Bearnas (Scottish Gaelic), Bérénice, Berenicia, Bernelle (French), Beronia (Italian), Bernessa, Bernise (German), Beranice, Beraniece, Berenice, Berenike (Greek).

      

BERRY. Nature name. With the recent arrival of fruit names like Apple, Peaches and Plum, this older example might also rise in popularity. Berree, Berri, Berrie.

      BERTHA. German, ‘bright, glorious’. Ever since the enormous German cannon was dubbed ‘Big Bertha’ in World War I, this name hasn’t worked for a sweet little baby girl. Not true of the Polish version, Berta. International: Berthe, Bertille (French), Berrta, Berrti, Berrty, Berti, Bertilde, Bertina, Bettina (German), Berit, Bertie, Bird, Birdie, Birta (Swedish), Berte (Norwegian), Berta (Polish).

      BERTILLE. French, ‘heroine, bright maiden’. Name of medieval French saint and still often found preceded by the word ‘Sister’. Bertilla.

      BERTRICE. Combination of BERTHA and BERNICE. 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