Declining since 1987, #751 for girls today.
Popularity of Bethany since 1915
Babies named Bethany per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 46 |
| 1920s | 119 |
| 1930s | 164 |
| 1940s | 471 |
| 1950s | 1,514 |
| 1960s | 3,807 |
| 1970s | 12,180 |
| 1980s | 29,331 |
| 1990s | 27,753 |
| 2000s | 15,369 |
| 2010s | 7,615 |
| 2020s | 2,533 |
Meaning & origin
Bethany entered the U.S. baby name record in 1915 and reached its peak rank of 87 in 1987, with a one-in-4,440 rate in the latest year. While it has been declining steadily since 1987, it remains a familiar choice, especially in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. The name's biblical roots give it enduring appeal among Christian families, and its gentle, feminine sound has kept it in use despite falling out of the top 500.
Bethany derives from the Aramaic phrase 'Beth anya', meaning 'house of figs' or 'house of poverty'. In the New Testament, Bethany is the village where Lazarus was raised from the dead and where Jesus stayed before Palm Sunday. The name came into occasional English use after the Protestant Reformation, but saw a significant rise in the United States during the mid-20th century, particularly among evangelical Christian families.
Where Bethany is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Bethany” around the world
Where Bethany lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
6
babies in 2025
New Zealand
10
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Beth, Annie, Bethy
Sibling names for Bethany
Names that share Bethany's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Bethany
Names whose popularity has moved with Bethany's over the last 50 years.
