Bessie

Bessie is an English pet form of Elizabeth, which derives from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning something along the lines of my God is an oath or my God is abundance. It gained widespread use in Britain from the medieval period onward, carried by the enduring popularity of the name Elizabeth itself. The name is associated with Bessie Smith, the celebrated American blues singer of the early twentieth century. Related forms include Bess, Betsy, Beth, Betty, and Lisa.