Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Beth
GirlHebrew, English· “short form of Elizabeth; Hebrew "house"”
- Meaning
- short form of Elizabeth; Hebrew "house"
- Origin
- Hebrew, English
- Pronunciation
- BEHTH
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #3,405
- US babies 2025
- 45
- Best rank
- #65 (1961)
- Peak year
- 1961
Meaning and origin of Beth
Beth is a Hebrew and English name that means “short form of Elizabeth; Hebrew "house"”.
Beth is a short form of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheva, meaning my God is an oath. It can also stand alone, and in Hebrew beth means house, the second letter of the alphabet, which appears in place names like Bethlehem. The name has been used independently since the nineteenth century. A well-known literary bearer is Beth March, one of the four sisters in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. It is said BEHTH. It sounds neat and classic, and it sits alongside Kate and Anne as short, timeless names.
Popularity over time
Beth first appears in US Social Security records in 1884. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 114 different years, starting in 1884. Its best national rank was #65 in 1961, the same year it reached its highest count of 6,716 babies. In 2025, 45 babies were named Beth, and it ranked #3,405 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #349 in 1920, #177 in 1950, #106 in 1980, #1,231 in 2000, #4,122 in 2010, and #3,405 in 2025. Of the 159,430 US girls named Beth since records began, 37% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 33,987 babies. Since 2010, 676 more have been named Beth.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Suzanne, Annette, Carla, Regina, and Sheila.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Beth ranked highest in Utah and Texas.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Beth is usually pronounced BEHTH, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with B and ends in “-th”.
Middle names for Beth
A few middle names that flow with Beth: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Beth
Similar names
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Kay Girl
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Elizabeth Girl
ih-LIH-zuh-buhth
“my God is an oath” · Hebrew
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Anne Girl
AN
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Tess Girl
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Eliza Girl
ih-LY-zuh
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Kate Girl
KAYT
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Lists that include Beth
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Beth mean?
Beth is a Hebrew and English name that means “short form of Elizabeth; Hebrew "house"”.
What is the origin of the name Beth?
Beth has Hebrew and English roots. Beth is a short form of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheva, meaning my God is an oath.
Is Beth a popular name?
Not especially. Beth ranked #3,405 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Beth a boy or girl name?
Beth is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Beth?
Beth is usually pronounced BEHTH. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings