Given name & surname
Libby
“my God is bountiful”·“God is my oath”·“My God is bountiful”
In English use, Libby is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. “God is my oath” is the etymological interpretation given for Elisabeth, the same name in a different spelling. “My God is bountiful” is another recorded interpretation, but the two should be kept distinct rather than blended into one literal translation. In English use, Libby is a diminutive of Isabel. In Spanish use, Isabel carries the interpretation “my God is bountiful.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Libby carries the interpretation “my God is bountiful.” In English use, Libby is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. “God is my oath” is the etymological interpretation given for Elisabeth, the same name in a different spelling. “My God is bountiful” is another recorded interpretation, but the two should be kept distinct rather than blended into one literal translation. In English use, Libby is a diminutive of Isabel. In Spanish use, Isabel carries the interpretation “my God is bountiful.”
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is English.
How it developed
In English use, Libby is used as an affectionate form of Elizabeth. In English use, Libby is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. The shared background comes through Elizabeth: English generally uses Elizabeth with a z, where many European languages retain Elisabeth with an s. Elisabeth is connected with Elisheba; its final element may have been reshaped through association with Hebrew shabbath, “sabbath.”
Combines direct and name-family evidence
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1881. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. In English use, Libby is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. The history of Elizabeth gives this family its wider story. The New Testament Elisabeth is the mother of John the Baptist. English royal associations include Elizabeth I and, in the twentieth century, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and her daughter Elizabeth II. Elizabeth’s familiar forms developed along several paths, including Eliza, Beth, Bess, Betty, Libby and Lizzie.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Libby through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 17,971
- 5 boys · 17,966 girls
- Most popular year
- 2009
- 355 babies
- 2025
- 202
- #1,146 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −7%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 202 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 1,146 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 7.1% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 355 in 2009. In 2025, New York had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (57). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 13,353 as a first name in 2020; 9,917 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Libby’s family of names
In English usage, Libby is a diminutive of Elizabeth. Libby has a related form in Lilibeth. Libby is an affectionate form of Elizabeth.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 20
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
See also 1
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Libby
- Libby HolmanAmerican socialite, actress, singer, and activist (1904-1971)
- Libby KosmalaAustralian Paralympic shooterborn 1942
- Libby CleggScottish Paralympic sprinterborn 1990
- Libby LarsenAmerican composerborn 1950
- Libby SchaafAmerican politicianborn 1965
- Libby StoutAmerican soccer playerborn 1990
- Libby DaviesCanadian politicianborn 1953
- Libby MunroAustralian screen and stage actressborn 1981
- Libby LudlowAmerican alpine skierborn 1981
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Libby, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Elisa
“my God is bountiful” · “God is my oath”
>99% girls
Sadie
“princess; lady” · “princess”
>99% girls
Lisa
“my God is bountiful” · “God is my oath”
>99% girls
Lily
Lily is used as a given name and a surname. One English interpretation is “resembling the flower; one who is innocent and beautiful.”
>99% girls
Lizzy
“God is my oath” · “My God is bountiful”
>99% girls
Elise
“my God is bountiful” · “God is my oath”
>99% girls
Sady
“princess; lady”
>99% girls
Kinsey
“the king's victory” · “the victorious prince”
>99% girls