Bessie is a feminine given name, often a diminutive form (hypocorism) of Elizabeth, Beatrice and other names since the 16th century. It is sometimes a name in its own right.
Notable people with the name include:
People
Bessie Abott (1878-1919), American operatic soprano
Bessie Barriscale (1884–1965), American actress
Elizabeth Blount ( 1498/1502 – 1540), mistress of Henry VIII of England
Bessie Braddock (1899–1970), British politician
Bessie Christie (1904–1983), New Zealand painter
Bessie Coleman (1892-1926), American civil aviator
Annie Elizabeth Delany (1891–1995), American civil rights pioneer
Bessie Alexander Ficklen (1861–1945), American poet and artist
Bessie Blount Griffin (1914-2009), American physical therapist, inventor, and forensic scientist Bessie Head (1937-1986), South African writer Bessilyn Johnson (1871-1943), wife of Chicago millionaire Albert Johnson Bessie Love (1898-1986), American-British actress Betty Mitchell (theatre director) (1896–1976), Canadian theatre director and educator Bessie Boehm Moore (1902–1995), American educator Diamond Bessie (1854-1877), American murder victim Bessie Rayner Parkes (1829-1925), English feminist, women's rights activist, poet, essayist and journalist Bessie Smith (1894-1937), American blues singer Bessie Stringfield (1911–1993), American motorcyclist Bessie Potter Vonnoh (1872–1955), American sculptor Bessie (South African queen), South African traditional aristocrat
Fictional characters
Bessie Higgenbottom, a character in the TV animated series The Mighty B! Elizabeth Bessie Potter, a character on the TV series Dawson's Creek Bessie, a road paving machine in the 2006 animated film Cars Bessie Busybody, a character in the TV series LazyTown Bessie, a car in the TV series Doctor Who
See also
Bess (name)