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I know a Bethany and she only goes by Bethany. I've met one other Bethany in my life, also didn't shorten it.

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I love the name. I actually considered it briefly when I was pregnant. It doesn't sound too religious to me.

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It's a very pretty name!

I love Bethany! If I lived in an English-speaking country it'd probably be in my top 5.
Well, considering Americans seem to love nicknames I'd definitely expect at least an occasional Beth (and she might prefer it herself).

I like it. My best friend in Oklahoma is named Bethany. She tried briefly in middle school to get people to call her Beth but it didn't really take.
Not too religious. There is a town in Oklahoma called Bethany, and here in Delaware there is Bethany Beach.

I've never liked Bethany much. I've met two and don't like either one, so that doesn't help.

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Bethany can come off as super religious, but it doesn't have to. I think the combo makes a big difference; I'd assume Bethany Faith was quite religious, but not Bethany Autumn, for example.

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The adult Bethany I know is always called Bethany, as far as I can tell, but the little one is usually called Bethie. That's her family's choice, though. I think Beth is mostly, but not completely, avoidable with Bethany. For some reason, it's easier for me to imagine an Elizabeth completely avoiding Beth than it is a Bethany, perhaps because Elizabeth has more options.

I love Bethany.
Nope, it doesn't sound overly religious to me.
Beth is, of course, an obvious nickname. But you could also choose a different one such as Bee, Bethan, or Annie. You could try to insist on only Bethany, but that will only work until she has an opinion of her own. Then all bets are off.

I love this name a lot though I slightly prefer Bethan - personally I like Beth but I knew a Bethany when I was younger that usually went by her full name. Some of her friends or other family members might call her Beth but if you stick with Bethany people will get the hint. Recently I met a Bethanie - I can't decide whether I like this spelling or not though I still really prefer the original. I don't find it too religous at all.

I find it fussy, and the only one I know goes by Bee.

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I prefer Bethan. More stripped-down and streamlined. But I don't enjoy Beth much either.

I like it, and never hear it. I don't think I've ever met one. I don't think it's too religious at all; the thought didn't even occur to me. I think it's likely to be shortened to Beth, but not if you or she insists on Bethany all the time.

I knew one Bethany in high school, who went by her full name. It's a nice alternative to Elizabeth, and I don't think it sounds too religious at all.

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Like it... quite a bit. Still don't like the nickname options, though.

It's a sweet name, and I don't think it's overly religious sounding. I've known people named Elizabeth who have gone by their full name, so I don't think that Bethany would necessarily be shortened to Beth. I haven't met many people named Bethany, but the ones I have met or heard of have gone by Bethany for the most part. One is called Bethie by her aunt sometimes, but usually, she is just called Bethany.

This message was edited 8/28/2012, 7:58 PM

I like Bethany (knew a very nice one) and I don't think it's too religious. That aspect can be played up, though, in combinations like Bethany Abigail, Bethany Noelle, Bethany Ruth, etc. On the other hand, I don't think combinations like Bethany Carys, Bethany Liv, Bethany Tamsin sound religious at all.

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The Bethany I knew did not go by "Beth", but I'm guessing that's the most likely outcome. You could try for Bethan. :)

Yay!

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One of my favorite girl's names. And I don't think it would get shortened too often. Beth's not too bad, but not the best either. Some people shorten it to Betty, Betsy, and once or twice I've heard Annie.