Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Tabitha
GirlAramaic· “gazelle”
- Meaning
- gazelle
- Origin
- Aramaic
- Pronunciation
- TAB-ih-thuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,308
- US babies 2025
- 171
- Best rank
- #126 (1978)
- Peak year
- 1978
Meaning and origin of Tabitha
Tabitha is an Aramaic name that means “gazelle”.
Tabitha is an Aramaic name meaning "gazelle." In the Acts of the Apostles, Tabitha, also called Dorcas, the Greek word for gazelle, is a woman of Joppa known for her good works and charity, whom the apostle Peter raises from the dead. The name was used by English Puritans after the Reformation. Later it became familiar through Tabitha Twitchit, a cat in Beatrix Potter's stories, and through the daughter of the witch Samantha in the television series Bewitched. Tabitha has a playful, vintage charm, with Tabby as a sweet nickname.
Popularity over time
Tabitha has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 57 different years. Its best national rank was #126 in 1978, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,309 babies. In 2025, 171 babies were named Tabitha, and it ranked #1,308 nationally. That is 41% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,563 in 1920, #3,215 in 1950, #155 in 1980, #319 in 2000, #632 in 2010, and #1,308 in 2025. Of the 59,200 US girls named Tabitha since records began, 33% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 13,685 babies. Since 2010, 4,103 more have been named Tabitha.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Aimee, Shawna, Jenny, Shanna, and Trisha.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Tabitha ranked highest in Iowa, Missouri, and Utah.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | #671 | 5 |
| Missouri | #722 | 8 |
| Utah | #825 | 5 |
| Colorado | #899 | 6 |
| South Carolina | #901 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Tabitha is usually pronounced TAB-ih-thuh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with T and ends in “-ha”.
Middle names for Tabitha
A few middle names that flow with Tabitha: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Tabitha
Similar names
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Lists that include Tabitha
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tabitha mean?
Tabitha is an Aramaic name that means “gazelle”.
What is the origin of the name Tabitha?
Tabitha has Aramaic roots. Tabitha is an Aramaic name meaning "gazelle." In the Acts of the Apostles, Tabitha, also called Dorcas, the Greek word for gazelle, is a woman of Joppa known for her good works and charity, whom the apostle Peter raises from the dead.
Is Tabitha a popular name?
Not especially. Tabitha ranked #1,308 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Tabitha a boy or girl name?
Tabitha is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Tabitha?
Tabitha is usually pronounced TAB-ih-thuh. 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