Etymology and OriginsLiddy is an English diminutive that can serve as a pet form of either Elizabeth or Lydia. As a feminine given name, it is typically a shorter, more informal variant derived from the end of Elizabeth or from the affectionate shortening of Lydia.Elizabeth itself comes from the Greek Ἐλισάβετ (Elisabet), which in turn derives from the Hebrew אֱלִישֶׁבַע (ʾElishevaʿ), meaning “my God is an oath.” In the Old Testament, Elisheba is the wife of Aaron; in the New Testament, Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist. Lydia, on the other hand, means “from Lydia” in Greek, referring to the ancient region in Asia Minor. The name appears in the New Testament as a woman baptized by Paul.Usage and DistributionAs a diminutive, Liddy has been in occasional use in English-speaking countries, particularly in the Victorian era when pet forms like Liddy were common. It later declined in popularity but persists as a nickname or given name. According to the Social Security Administration, Liddy has never ranked among the top 1,000 names in the United States in recent decades.Notable BearersBearers of the name Liddy as a surname include G. Gordon Liddy (1930–2021), an American lawyer and Watergate conspirator, and Ed Liddy (born 1946), former chairman and CEO of AIG. As a given name, notable examples are Australian politician Liddy Clark (born 1953) and New Zealand actress Liddy Holloway (1947–2004).Related FormsOther English diminutives of Elizabeth include Bess, Bessie, Beth, Betsy, Bette, and Bettie. Variants of Lydia include Lillia and Lillie.Meaning: Diminutive of Elizabeth or LydiaOrigin: EnglishType: Given name (feminine) and surnameUsage Regions: English-speaking countries