Bethany
/ˈbɛθ.ə.ni/
Bethany is an English form of the Greek Bethania, from the Hebrew/Aramaic Beit Teʼenah meaning “house of figs” or alternatively Beit Anya (“house of Ananiah” or “house of the poor”).
Bethany was a village near Jerusalem where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and where Mary and Martha lived.
The biblical significance of the village gave the place name strong devotional meaning in Christian tradition. Mary of Bethany, who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, is one of the New Testament’s most memorable female figures.
What the name Bethany means
Bethany peaked at No. 87 in 1987 with 3,294 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 727 with 386 births, well below its 1980s peak.
Professional surfer Bethany Hamilton (born 1990), who survived a shark attack at age 13 and returned to competitive surfing, is the name’s most prominent contemporary bearer. The 2011 film Soul Surfer documented her story.
Three syllables—BETH-uh-nee—feel warm and open. The familiar Beth- opening and the feminine -ny ending give it a soft, approachable character.
Parents who choose Bethany are often drawn to its biblical depth—a place name transformed into a personal name, carrying the landscape of the Gospels into a modern context.
Related names include Beth, Elizabeth, and Bethania—though Bethany shares only a phonetic connection to Elizabeth; the two are etymologically unrelated.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Bethany
Bethany - similar names
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