Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Bethany
GirlHebrew, Aramaic· “place name, perhaps 'house of figs'”
- Meaning
- place name, perhaps 'house of figs'
- Origin
- Hebrew, Aramaic
- Pronunciation
- BEH-thuh-nee
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #752
- US babies 2025
- 362
- Best rank
- #87 (1987)
- Peak year
- 1987
Meaning and origin of Bethany
Bethany is a Hebrew and Aramaic name that is usually said to mean “place name, perhaps 'house of figs'”.
Bethany takes its name from a village near Jerusalem that appears in the New Testament as the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. The name is usually explained as house of figs from Hebrew or Aramaic, though some scholars propose other readings, including house of affliction, so the meaning is not settled. English speakers began using it as a given name in the nineteenth century, drawn by its gospel associations. Bethany feels gentle and familiar, a classic that never became too common, with the nicknames Beth and Bethy close at hand.
Popularity over time
Bethany first appears in US Social Security records in 1915. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 77 different years, starting in 1949. Its best national rank was #87 in 1987, the same year it reached its highest count of 3,294 babies. In 2025, 362 babies were named Bethany, and it ranked #752 nationally. That is 53% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,918 in 1920, #804 in 1950, #124 in 1980, #151 in 2000, #368 in 2010, and #752 in 2025. Of the 100,902 US girls named Bethany since records began, 29% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 27,753 babies. Since 2010, 10,148 more have been named Bethany.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Mallory, Felicia, Krista, Kendra, and Jaclyn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Bethany ranked highest in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Wisconsin.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #354 | 31 |
| Kentucky | #387 | 11 |
| Wisconsin | #424 | 12 |
| Ohio | #514 | 20 |
| Indiana | #550 | 12 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Bethany is usually pronounced BEH-thuh-nee, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with B and ends in “-ny”.
Middle names for Bethany
A few middle names that flow with Bethany: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Bethany
Similar names
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Lists that include Bethany
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bethany mean?
Bethany is a Hebrew and Aramaic name that is usually said to mean “place name, perhaps 'house of figs'”.
What is the origin of the name Bethany?
Bethany has Hebrew and Aramaic roots. Bethany takes its name from a village near Jerusalem that appears in the New Testament as the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
Is Bethany a popular name?
Yes. Bethany ranked #752 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Bethany a boy or girl name?
Bethany is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Bethany?
Bethany is usually pronounced BEH-thuh-nee. 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