"house of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Beth
Pronunciation: [ b-EHTH ]
Girl Name
#3,057 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
1 Syllable
Simple, strong, and deeply rooted in scripture
English
American
Scottish
Welsh
Classic
Gentle
Minimalist
Traditional
Literary
Meaning & Origin
"pledged to God"
Origin: Hebrew via Elizabeth
Language: English
"life"
Origin: Welsh
Language: Welsh
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).
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)
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
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
Pairs Well With
Beth Ann
Beth Marie
Beth Louise
Beth Ellen
Beth Grace
Beth Jane
Beth Rose
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Beth is also used as a boy name, ranked #39335.
View Beth as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.