Bess

Bess is a feminine given name. It is commonly a short form of Elizabeth, though it has also been used as an independent given name in English-speaking countries. The name Elizabeth derives from Hebrew Elisheba, often interpreted as "God is my oath" or "God is abundance," and Bess developed as a diminutive alongside related forms such as Betsy, Bessie, and Betty. Its use was more common in the 19th and early 20th centuries and remains part of historical naming patterns.

Notable people named Bess include Bess Truman (1885–1982), wife of U.S. President Harry S. Truman and First Lady from 1945 to 1953; Bess Myerson (1924–2014), Miss America 1945 and later public figure; Bess Houdini (1876–1943), wife and stage partner of magician Harry Houdini; and Bess of Hardwick (Elizabeth Talbot, 1527–1608), an influential English noblewoman known for her wealth and building projects.

In arts and culture, Bess is the central female character in George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess (1935), where the aria "Summertime" is associated with her. The name has appeared in various novels and films and is often used for fictional characters beyond that work.

Beyond personal names, Bess is occasionally seen as an acronym in technical or organizational contexts when capitalized as BESS (for example, Battery Energy Storage System), but such uses are distinct from the given name.