Declining since 1985.
Popularity of Bethann since 1938
Babies named Bethann per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 53 |
| 1950s | 238 |
| 1960s | 961 |
| 1970s | 718 |
| 1980s | 533 |
| 1990s | 210 |
| 2000s | 72 |
| 2010s | 15 |
| 2020s | 29 |
Meaning & origin
Bethann is a mid-20th-century American compound name created by blending Beth and Ann. It first appeared in Social Security records in 1938, during a period when combining two familiar short forms into a single given name was a popular trend. Bethann peaked in popularity in 1967, reaching its highest usage at rank 678. Since 1985, its trajectory has been falling, and it is now given to fewer than five girls per year, with no state concentration. The name reflects a style of name construction that was common for girls born in the 1960s, when one in every few thousand girls received such a compound name. While no longer common, Bethann remains a recognizable marker of that era.
Bethann is a compound name formed from Beth, a short form of Elizabeth (meaning 'God is my oath' in Hebrew), and Ann, which derives from Hannah (meaning 'grace' or 'favor'). This type of blended given name became popular in the United States in the mid-20th century. Bethann first appeared in records in 1938 and peaked in 1967, reflecting the fashion for pairing familiar short forms.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Beth, Annie, Betsy
Sibling names for Bethann
Names that share Bethann's style, for a brother or sister.
