Elizabeth

My Name

I am Elizabeth, and I LOVE my name.

I decided to forgo January Happy Thoughts and discuss my name.  Why?  Because my name makes me happy and well, I just felt like it.

Once upon a time there was a couple named Chad and Diane Shreeve.  Diane was going to have a little girl and really liked the name Elizabeth.  Chad did not like that name and said it was too long.  So when that little girl was born she was named Amy, nice and short which received her Fathers approval.  Four years later this couple was expecting another child.  By this time Diane had convinced Chad that Elizabeth was a good name.  So, not knowing whether they were to have a boy or girl, they decided on the name "Eric" if it were to be a boy, and "Elizabeth" if it were to be a girl.  So, all through utero, that baby was known as "Baby E".

On March 12, 1985 ELIZABETH ANN SHREEVE was born.  And lets just say thank goodness I am not Eric... I am glad to be a girl :-)  And I have news for you Daddy, my name is not too long to fit on a credit card as you insisted in the past.  But I am grateful that my Dad did not give up easily and I was lucky enough to be named Elizabeth and that it was not stolen first by my big sister.

Elizabeth is a name where many nicknames can form from.  Growing up I have been called Elizabeth, Liz, Lizzy, Liza, Beth, Lizardbreath, Wizzawif, Biff, as well as many more. In my adult years many of these nicknames still follow me but it seems that I have a different name for each place in my life.

Beth: When I was a child my mom insisted that no one call me Liz.  Because of this, and the desire of my Dad to still shorten my name, I have been known as Beth by my dad and all of his family.  Confession time:  I don't really like the name Beth.  When people get to know me and ask what they should call me I usually tell them I don't care and that I just don't prefer Beth.  I know all the Shreeve's are shocked by this news but don't worry.  I don't mind you calling me Beth... I just don't want anyone else doing it.  In fact it would be strange if you called me anything different because I am "Beth" around you.  If that makes any sense at all.

Liz:  I was known as Liz in nursing school and the rest of my college years and the majority of people at work call me this.  

Elizabeth:  My mom has always referred to me as Elizabeth.  And it seems that those closest to me will call me this the majority of the time.  To be honest, it is my preferred name but I am really not that picky. My best friends growing up would and still call me this along of course with the occasional silly nickname.

Biff:  This is the main nickname that I have had since about the 6th grade.  My cousin Matt could not say my name as a toddler and would call me "Biff".  Well, it caught on.  My family started calling me Biff, so then my friends started calling me Biff, and so even teachers would call me Biff.  Not the most flattering nickname, but to this day many people still call me Biff.

Elizabeth 
Meaning:Consecrated to God, God's promise, God is my oath

Biblical: the wife of Zacharias and the mother of John the Baptist
(Luke 1:5-6)

International Variations: Ailsa (Danish), Alzbeta (Czech), Elikapeka (Hawaiian), Elisabet (Greek), Elisabeth (French), Elisabetta (Italian), Elisavet (Hebrew), Elisaveta (Hebrew), Elisheva (Hebrew), Elizabet (Scandinavian), Elizabetta (Italian), Elsbeth (Scottish), Elspeth (English), Elzbieta (Polish), Erzsebet (Hungarian), Liesbeth (Dutch), Lisbet (Danish), Lizaveta (Russian), Orzsebet (Hebrew), Yeriel (Hebrew)

Nicknames: Bella, Bess, Bessie, Bessy, Beta, Beth, Betsey, Bette, Betti, Bettina, Bettine, Betty, Buffy, Eliza, Ella, Elli, Els, Elsa, Elyza, Elzira, Ilsa, Ilse, Izzy, Libby, Liesl, Liezel, Lilibet, Lilibeth, Lise, Liz, Liza, Lizie, Lizbet, Lizbeth, Lizette, Lyza, Sissy, Telsa

I am Elizabeth.  You can call me Liz if you would like if it is easier for you, or any of the above names if you really wanted to.  I don't mind.  I just don't like Beth (unless of course you are a Shreeve and are special enough to get to call me that)   :-)


References: www.babyzone.com