Elizabeth

Well, I figured I might as well begin with my own name... :)

Elizabeth or Elisabeth is the Greek translation of the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning "God's promise," "oath of God," or "I am God’s daughter." Elizabeth and Elisabeth are the parent unit names of Lisa, Lilly, Beth, Betty, and Ella; Elsa, Isabel, and Isabella are etymologically related variants.
[from Wikipedia]

Meaning of Elizabeth: "God's promise" or "God is my oath"

In the top female baby names of 2011, Elizabeth is number 20. In 1880, it was number 3.

Nicknames for Elizabeth:
Betty
Beth
Ellie
Eliza
Libby
Lillah
Izzy
Zabby
Lizzie


Famous Elizabeths:
Queen Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011), Anglo-American actress
Elizabeth Bennet (from Pride and Prejudice)
Elizabeth Swann (from Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy)
Elizabeth Elliot (missionary, wife of Jim Elliot, author)