Bethany Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Bethany has its origins in Hebrew, meaning 'house of figs.' It evolved through Greek and Latin before becoming established in English. It is linked to biblical narratives, particularly in the New Testament, enhancing its significance. The name is often associated with traits of warmth and hospitality. Bethany has historical roots that date back to early Christian times, contributing to its continued relevance today.
The name Bethany is most popular in Rhode Island, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Bethany has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been falling for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, falling for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Bethany' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6142nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5484th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 17241st out of 24088 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3202nd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1763rd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 765th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 262nd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 106th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 203rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 529th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Bethany' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Bethany"
Pronunciation
/ˈbɛθəni/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Bethany derives from the Hebrew word 'Beth Anya,' which means 'house of figs.' It is also associated with the biblical town located near Jerusalem.
Meaning
house of figs
Language Evolution
Hebrew: Beth Anya, Greek: Βηθανία (Bēthanía), Latin: Bethania, Old English: Bethany
Biblical Background
The name is significant in the New Testament as it is the name of a village where Jesus visited and performed miracles.
Historical Usage
Bethany gained popularity in the early Christian era due to its biblical associations and has remained in use throughout history.
Variants & Derivatives
Beth, Bethie, Bethan
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Bethany is perceived as a classic and gentle name, often associated with warmth and hospitality.
Famous People
Bethany Hamilton, a professional surfer and motivational speaker, Bethany Joy Lenz, an American actress and musician
Explore More Bethany Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Bethany"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Bethany"
"Bethany" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6142nd of 10718 | 40 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5484th of 16616 | 124 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 17241st of 24088 | 20 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3202nd of 9107 | 146 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1763rd of 9204 | 389 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 765th of 12526 | 3,170 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 262nd of 19264 | 17,094 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 106th of 27321 | 47,172 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 203rd of 35406 | 25,467 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 529th of 30306 | 7,096 |
Regional Popularity of "Bethany" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Bethany" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
70.97% 1005th/1416 |
100.00% 1379th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
50.65% 783rd/1546 |
86.05% 1339th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
24.29% 541st/2227 |
26.26% 638th/2430 |
35.12% 1002nd/2853 |
42.41% 1177th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
7.25% 213th/2937 |
6.23% 217th/3483 |
8.44% 297th/3518 |
8.18% 331st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
2.36% 87th/3685 |
2.46% 110th/4475 |
1.93% 100th/5194 |
2.34% 148th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
4.32% 198th/4582 |
5.29% 273rd/5164 |
2.31% 169th/7313 |
3.51% 262nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
13.23% 527th/3984 |
14.29% 641st/4487 |
7.75% 529th/6822 |
7.41% 465th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Bethany"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Bethany" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.