"house of the afflicted"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Bethany
Pronunciation: [ b-EHTH-uhn-ee ]
Girl Name
#728 Most Popular
Steady
3 Syllables
A Biblical village name full of warmth and welcome
Hebrew
Christian
English
American
Classic
Spiritual
Traditional
Gentle
Literary
Meaning & Origin
"house of dates (fruit)"
Origin: Aramaic
Language: Aramaic
The Story of Bethany
Bethany comes from the Hebrew/Aramaic 'Bet Anya,' meaning 'house of figs' or 'house of dates.' In the New Testament, Bethany was a village on the slopes of the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, the home of Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead. It is one of the most significant sites in Christian tradition. The name was adopted as a given name in the 19th century.
Bethany peaked in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s, particularly in Christian communities where its Biblical geography held special meaning. It has gently declined since then but remains a warm, classic choice with strong religious resonance.
Bethany appears in the Gospels of Luke and John as the home of Jesus's closest friends outside his disciples. The raising of Lazarus at Bethany is one of Jesus's most dramatic miracles. For Christian parents, naming a daughter Bethany is an act of faith and devotion.
Fun Facts
- Bethany, the village in the New Testament, is identified with the modern Arab town of al-Eizariya ('place of Lazarus') in the West Bank
- The raising of Lazarus at Bethany is depicted in over 500 surviving works of medieval art
Bethany in Other Languages
French
Béthanie
Hebrew
בֵּית עַנְיָה
Aramaic
Bēt Anyā
Italian
Betania
Spanish
Betania
Famous People Named Bethany
B
Bethany Hamilton
Athlete
1990
American professional surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack at 13 and returned to competitive surfing, inspiring the...
American professional surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack at 13 and returned to competitive surfing, inspiring the film 'Soul Surfer'
B
Bethany (Biblical figure)
Religious
The village home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in the Gospels — scene of one of Jesus's most famous miracles
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #728
- Total SSA Count
- 386
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Christian English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Beth
Bethy
Bethie
Annie
Pairs Well With
Bethany Grace
Bethany Anne
Bethany Joy
Bethany Hope
Bethany Elise
Bethany Renée
Bethany Claire
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Bethany is also used as a boy name, ranked #10574.
View Bethany as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bethany
What does the name Bethany mean?
"house of the afflicted" (from Hebrew). "house of dates (fruit)" (from Aramaic). Bethany comes from the Hebrew/Aramaic 'Bet Anya,' meaning 'house of figs' or 'house of dates.' In the New Testament, Bethany was a village on the slopes of the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, the home of Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead. It is one of the most significant sites in Christian tradition. The name was adopted as a given name in the 19th century.
What is the origin of the name Bethany?
Bethany has Hebrew, Aramaic, Christian, English, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "house of the afflicted". In Aramaic, it means "house of dates (fruit)".
Is Bethany a boy or girl name?
Bethany is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #728. As a boy name, it is ranked #10574. Bethany is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Bethany?
Bethany is pronounced b-EHTH-uhn-ee.
How popular is the name Bethany?
Bethany is currently ranked #728 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Bethany?
Common nicknames for Bethany include Beth, Bethy, Bethie, and Annie.
What are good middle names for Bethany?
Popular middle name pairings include Bethany Grace, Bethany Anne, Bethany Joy, Bethany Hope, Bethany Elise, Bethany Renée, and Bethany Claire.
What are good sibling names for Bethany?
Names that pair well with Bethany as siblings include Hannah, Rachel, Miriam, Matthew, Caleb, Abigail, and Naomi.
How many syllables does Bethany have?
Bethany has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Bethany a common or rare name?
Bethany is moderately common, ranked #728 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Bethany
Bethany is a girl name with Hebrew, Christian, English, and American origins . The name means "house of the afflicted" in Hebrew .
Is Bethany a boy or girl name? Bethany is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #728 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #10,574. Bethany is more commonly used as a girl name.
Bethany is currently ranked #728 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Bethany has 3 syllables and is pronounced b-EHTH-uhn-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Bethany include Beth, Bethy, Bethie, and Annie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Bethany include Beth, Bethel . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.