Bethany
Bethany is a girls' name of Hebrew origin meaning “house of figs, house of affliction.” It ranked #751 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Bethany?
BETH-ah-nee
where does the name Bethany come from?
The meaning of the root is disputed. It is glossed as house of figs, from a name probably of Aramaic or Hebrew origin, and also as house of wretchedness.
Bethany is the name of a biblical village near Jerusalem, from the Hebrew 'beit te'ena' (house of figs) or 'beit ani' (house of affliction). It was the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, and where Jesus often stayed. The name was hugely popular in the 1980s-90s and retains a warm, inviting, faith-inflected sweetness.
how popular is this name?
Bethany has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 77 years since 1949. It peaked at #87 in 1987, and ranked #751 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #751 |
| 2024 | #725 |
| 2023 | #720 |
| 2022 | #665 |
| 2021 | #637 |
| 2020 | #601 |
| 2019 | #552 |
| 2018 | #474 |
| 2017 | #497 |
| 2016 | #460 |
| 2010 | #368 |
| 2000 | #151 |
| 1990 | #107 |
| 1987 | #87 |
| 1980 | #124 |
| 1970 | #356 |
| 1960 | #694 |
| 1950 | #803 |
| 1949 | #903 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Bethany fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Bethany
In the Bible, Bethany is a town near Jerusalem at the foot of the Mount of Olives, where Lazarus lived with his sisters Mary and Martha and where Jesus stayed during Holy Week before his crucifixion.
who are famous people named Bethany?
- Bethany Hamilton (American surfer who returned to competition after a shark attack)
- Bethany Joy Lenz (American actress, One Tree Hill)
what are the nicknames and variants of Bethany?
Nicknames
what names go well with Bethany?
Sibling names that share Bethany's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Bethany
What does the name Bethany mean?
Bethany means “house of figs, house of affliction”.
What is the origin of the name Bethany?
Bethany comes from the Hebrew naming tradition.
How popular is the name Bethany?
Bethany ranked #751 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1987, at #87, and it has spent 77 years in the top 1,000 since 1949.
Is Bethany a boy or girl name?
Bethany is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Bethany?
Bethany is pronounced BETH-ah-nee, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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