"house of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Beth
Pronunciation: [ b-EHTH ]
Does Beth flow with your last name?
Simple, strong, and deeply rooted in scripture
English
American
Scottish
Welsh
Classic
Gentle
Minimalist
Traditional
Literary
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Meaning & Origin
"pledged to God"
Origin: Hebrew via Elizabeth
Language: English
"life"
Origin: Welsh
Language: Welsh
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with the tragic character Beth March in Little Women, may evoke sadness for fans of the novel
The Story of Beth
Beth is a short form of Elizabeth, which derives from the Hebrew Elisheba meaning my God is an oath or my God is abundance. It was also the name of Aaron's wife in the Old Testament. As a standalone name, Beth gained currency in the 19th century, popularized partly by the beloved character Beth March in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women (1868).
Beth peaked in the mid-20th century as a standalone name, particularly in the 1950s-1960s. It has since declined but retains a quiet, timeless quality. The 2019 film adaptation of Little Women renewed literary interest in the name.
In Welsh culture, Beth also functions as an independent name meaning life, giving it a distinctly different resonance. The second letter of the Hebrew alphabet is Bet (Beth), symbolizing the first word of the Torah: Bereshit (In the beginning).
Historical Record
Beth first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 141,634 babies have been named Beth in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Beth is past its peak , currently ranked #3,057 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Beth is the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet
- Beth March in Little Women (1868) is one of literature's most beloved characters
- Beth was a top-100 US name throughout the 1950s and 1960s
Beth in Other Languages
Welsh
Beth (life)
French
Elisabeth (full form)
Hebrew
Bet/Elisheba
Spanish
Isabel (full form)
Popularity Over Time
#3,057
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1961
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Beth
B
Beth Ditto
Musician
1981
American singer and frontwoman of the indie rock band Gossip, known for her powerful voice and LGBTQ advocacy
B
Beth Gibbons
Musician
1965
English singer and lyricist, lead vocalist of the acclaimed trip-hop group Portishead
B
Beth March Fictional
Other
The gentle, music-loving third sister in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women (1868), beloved for her selflessness and tragi...
The gentle, music-loving third sister in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women (1868), beloved for her selflessness and tragic early death
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #3,057
- Total SSA Count
- 53
- Cultural Origins
- English American Scottish Welsh
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Bethie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Beth
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Beth is also used as a boy name, ranked #39335.
View Beth as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Beth
What does the name Beth mean?
"house of God" (from Hebrew). "pledged to God" (from Hebrew via Elizabeth). "life" (from Welsh). Beth is a short form of Elizabeth, which derives from the Hebrew Elisheba meaning my God is an oath or my God is abundance. It was also the name of Aaron's wife in the Old Testament. As a standalone name, Beth gained currency in the 19th century, popularized partly by the beloved character Beth March in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women (1868).
What is the origin of the name Beth?
Beth has Hebrew, Hebrew via Elizabeth, Welsh, English, American, and Scottish origins. In Hebrew, it means "house of God". In Hebrew via Elizabeth, it means "pledged to God". In Welsh, it means "life".
Is Beth a boy or girl name?
Beth is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3057. As a boy name, it is ranked #39335. Beth is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Beth?
Beth is pronounced b-EHTH.
How popular is the name Beth?
Beth is currently ranked #3057 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Beth?
Common nicknames for Beth include Bethie.
What are good middle names for Beth?
Popular middle name pairings include Beth Ann, Beth Marie, Beth Louise, Beth Ellen, Beth Grace, Beth Jane, and Beth Rose.
What are good sibling names for Beth?
Names that pair well with Beth as siblings include Jo, Amy, Meg, Laurie, Dan, Clare, and Tom.
How many syllables does Beth have?
Beth has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Beth a common or rare name?
Beth is an uncommon name, ranked #3057 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Beth?
About the Name Beth
Beth is a girl name with English, American, Scottish, and Welsh origins . The name means "house of God" in Hebrew .
Is Beth a boy or girl name? Beth is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,057 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #39,335. Beth is more commonly used as a girl name.
Beth is currently ranked #3,057 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Beth has 1 syllable and is pronounced b-EHTH, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Beth include Bethie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Beth include Bethany, Betty, Betsy, Betsabe, Bethel . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis