Is Elsie short for anything?
Yes, usually. In old records Elsie mostly appears as a pet form of Elizabeth, though plenty of families gave it as a name in its own right. Less often it stands in for Elspeth, Alice, and Elsa. Expect it in Scottish, American, and British records, mostly 1800s-1900s. When a census shows Elsie, check the family's other papers for a Elizabeth before you decide which reading you have.
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FAQs
Is Elsie a nickname?+
Usually. Most records that say Elsie trace back to a Elizabeth, but some families used it as the full given name.
Is Elsie a real name on its own?+
Yes - it also appears as a standalone given name, especially in later eras. Earlier records lean toward Elizabeth.
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