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I don't care for Bess on her own as a first name, but I enjoy her as nickname and as a middle name. Paired with Stella, there's too much "s" and short "e" repeated and not enough variety in other sounds to overcome that, but I think the feel of the combo is sweet.

I think it's cute as a nickname for Elizabeth. I also like Bessie, although that sounds a bit like a cows name! Stella Elizabeth would be better than Stella Bess, in my opinion. I like Tess more than Bess.

I don't hate Bess, but it is a little heavy. I prefer Elle and Ella as dims. for Elizabeth.

I learned to like Bess as a nickname. My boyfriend's sister (Elizabeth) is nicknamed Bess. When my boyfriend was little, he couldn't say Beth yet, so Bess just stuck.

I think Bess is very sweet, as is Stella Bess. I had a doll as a child named Bess, so I've always liked it.

Sounds like a cow name.

It's one of my favorite Elizabeth nicknames, but I can't say I like it as a standalone.

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I don't like Stella Bess at all--too hissy.

I think it's alright. I mean, Bess as a first name short for Elizabeth... it's a lot like Beth.

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Stella Bess is an awful combo IMO. Sort of ugly, and like it is unconsciously trying to sound a little like Stellar Best.

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I don't get cow from Bess, but I do a little from Bessie. All dated-seeming B-names have, in my mind, the potential impression of someone vulgar and stout, but I don't think it's bad for a person Bess. I guess the name might seem less appealing when the bearer herself fits that image.

This message was edited 1/27/2013, 1:46 PM

Love, love Bess, as a nn. It's friendly, retro, historic (Good Queen Bess), down-to-earth, and a nice change of pace from Beth. I also love Betsy, Betty and Bette. But of the four Bess is my favorite. :-)

Bess is my favorite nn for Elizabeth (I also love Betsy and Ellie). That love doesn't extend to Bessie which comes across to me as rather bovine-esque, LOL. I prefer Bess as a nn only and I'd love to meet a young Bess.

Bess is a sweet name. I prefer Stella Beth to Stella Bess even though Bess is more intriguing. Stella Bess seems a bit too heavy on the "S" sounds.

I adore Bess!

I like as a nickname

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Then again I love the old school names such as Clara, Clementina, Jamesina & Rosemary

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Though I'd use Bess as a nickname for Elizabeth

Well, *I* like it.

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I happen to think Bess and Bessie both are charming, old-fashioned, sassy, and unique. I have a great-aunt Bessie who I'd love to honor someday. I'd say it's almost ready for a mild comeback, ripe for rehabilitation if you're daring. Clara's not a cow name anymore and neither is Elsie; the association will fade, even for some holdouts like RoxStar.

I think Bess is a sweet name.

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I strongly prefer it as a nickname, but I think it works on its own as well.

ugly, ugly ugly...

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Bess is just gross. A big fat cow of a name. Mooo.

Well, I like Bess more than Stella. I like Stella too, but Bess is less common.

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I prefer it as a NN for Elisabeth, though. That's just the way I roll.