"house of dates (fruit)"
Origin: Aramaic
Language: Aramaic
Bethany
Pronunciation: [ b-EHTH-uhn-ee ]
Does Bethany flow with your last name?
A Biblical village name full of warmth and welcome
Hebrew
Christian
English
American
Classic
Spiritual
Traditional
Gentle
Literary
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4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"house of the afflicted"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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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.
Historical Record
Bethany first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 99,734 babies have been named Bethany in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Bethany is past its peak , currently ranked #728 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#728
Current Rank
Peaked 1987
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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
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Compare Bethany with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Bethany
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Bethany is also used as a boy name, ranked #10574.
View Bethany as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bethany
What does the name Bethany mean?
"house of dates (fruit)" (from Aramaic). "house of the afflicted" (from Hebrew). 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 Aramaic, Hebrew, Christian, English, and American origins. In Aramaic, it means "house of dates (fruit)". In Hebrew, it means "house of the afflicted".
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.
What girl names are similar to Bethany?
About the Name Bethany
Bethany is a girl name with Hebrew, Christian, English, and American origins . The name means "house of dates (fruit)" in Aramaic .
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.
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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