What Is In A Name?

Betsy is a nickname bestowed upon me early in my life. My parental units did not want me to be called Liz or Lizzie -- no offense to those folks with those names -- since my given name is Elizabeth.

They chose Betsy and that is what I was called from the time I was little. Growing up, there was a girl a grade ahead of me whose name was Bitzy. For most of each fall, my 'new' teachers would call me Bitzy. Usually by Christmas time, I was Betsy again.

My name is not difficult to spell or say. At least I don't think so. However, it can be a challenge to some individuals. It used to irritate the beejeebers out of me but over the years I have found the misspellings to be humorous.

I have seen variations of my name spelled - Betsie, Besty, Betty, Betsey. I got a valentine in sixth grade addressed to Beasty. I had someone call me Bepsi. That one is a combination of Betsy and Pepsi. The explanation is the person was talking to me and was thinking about getting a soda so she called me Bepsi. I have a co-worker that calls me that every time he sees me. It makes me laugh.

Just this week I received a new spelling to Betsy. The caller asked my name. I said Betsy. He called me Beth three times. When he asked for the work email, I had to spell the address and when he called me Beth again. I said --"My name is Betsy. B E T S Y." Okay he said. I didn't hold out much hope that he had gotten it right.

Not ten minutes later, the email came addressed "Hi Betfy".

Seriously? I just cracked up. A friend pointed out that the s and f can sound alike. That is true and that may have been what happened. But Betfy? This latest one just got added to the top of my "How to Misspell My Name List."