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Tabitha

Pronunciation: [ t-AB-ihth-uh ]

Girl Name #1,517 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

A storybook name with a miracle at its heart

Christian English American Jewish
Vintage Literary Whimsical Classic Elegant

Meaning & Origin

"gazelle"
Origin: Aramaic
Language: Aramaic
"graceful, beautiful"
Origin: Aramaic/Hebrew
Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

  • Tabby is also a common term for a striped cat, which some find amusing rather than problematic

The Story of Tabitha

Tabitha comes from the Aramaic name meaning 'gazelle' — a symbol of grace and beauty in ancient Near Eastern culture. In the New Testament (Acts 9:36-42), Tabitha was a charitable woman in Joppa renowned for making clothing for the poor, who was brought back to life by the Apostle Peter — one of the few resurrections performed by an apostle. Her Greek name was Dorcas, both meaning gazelle.

Tabitha enjoyed its greatest American popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s following the TV sitcom 'Bewitched' (1964-1972), where Samantha the witch's daughter was named Tabitha. The name has seen a charming vintage revival as parents rediscover its storybook quality.

In Christian tradition, Tabitha/Dorcas is venerated as a saint in multiple denominations for her charitable works and miraculous resurrection. Her story made the name a symbol of generosity and grace, particularly appealing to devout families for centuries.

Fun Facts

  • Tabitha appears in Acts 9:36-42 as one of only two people explicitly raised from the dead by an apostle in the New Testament
  • The name Tabitha was in the American top 200 from 1969-1973, coinciding exactly with the peak years of the TV show Bewitched

Tabitha in Other Languages

Greek Δορκάς
French Tabitha
Aramaic טַבִיתָא
Italian Tabita
Spanish Tabita

Famous People Named Tabitha

T

Tabitha King

Writer

1949

American novelist and philanthropist, wife of Stephen King and accomplished author in her own right

T

Tabitha

Other

Biblical woman of Joppa raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter (Acts 9:36-42), celebrated as a saint for her generosi...

Biblical woman of Joppa raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter (Acts 9:36-42), celebrated as a saint for her generosity and charity

T

Tabitha Stephens Fictional

Other

The daughter of witch Samantha in the TV sitcom Bewitched (1966-1972), who inherited her mother's magical powers and bec...

The daughter of witch Samantha in the TV sitcom Bewitched (1966-1972), who inherited her mother's magical powers and became a beloved character

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
3
Popularity Rank
#1,517
Total SSA Count
142
Cultural Origins
Christian English American Jewish
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Common Nicknames

Tabby Tab Tibby

Pairs Well With

Tabitha Rose Tabitha Jane Tabitha Claire Tabitha Ann Tabitha Louise Tabitha Mae

Sibling Names

Also a Boy Name

Tabitha is also used as a boy name, ranked #28608.

View Tabitha as a boy name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Tabitha

What does the name Tabitha mean?
"gazelle" (from Aramaic). "graceful, beautiful" (from Aramaic/Hebrew). Tabitha comes from the Aramaic name meaning 'gazelle' — a symbol of grace and beauty in ancient Near Eastern culture. In the New Testament (Acts 9:36-42), Tabitha was a charitable woman in Joppa renowned for making clothing for the poor, who was brought back to life by the Apostle Peter — one of the few resurrections performed by an apostle. Her Greek name was Dorcas, both meaning gazelle.
What is the origin of the name Tabitha?
Tabitha has Aramaic, Aramaic/Hebrew, Christian, English, American, and Jewish origins. In Aramaic, it means "gazelle". In Aramaic/Hebrew, it means "graceful, beautiful".
Is Tabitha a boy or girl name?
Tabitha is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1517. As a boy name, it is ranked #28608. Tabitha is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Tabitha?
Tabitha is pronounced t-AB-ihth-uh.
How popular is the name Tabitha?
Tabitha is currently ranked #1517 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Tabitha?
Common nicknames for Tabitha include Tabby, Tab, and Tibby.
What are good middle names for Tabitha?
Popular middle name pairings include Tabitha Rose, Tabitha Jane, Tabitha Claire, Tabitha Ann, Tabitha Louise, and Tabitha Mae.
What are good sibling names for Tabitha?
Names that pair well with Tabitha as siblings include Beatrice, Phineas, Caspian, Cordelia, and Barnabas.
How many syllables does Tabitha have?
Tabitha has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Tabitha a common or rare name?
Tabitha is an uncommon name, ranked #1517 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Tabitha

Tabitha is a girl name with Christian, English, American, and Jewish origins . The name means "gazelle" in Aramaic .

Is Tabitha a boy or girl name? Tabitha is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,517 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #28,608. Tabitha is more commonly used as a girl name.

Tabitha is currently ranked #1,517 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Tabitha has 3 syllables and is pronounced t-AB-ihth-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Tabitha include Tabby, Tab, and Tibby. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

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