Bethel

Meaning & origin

Bethel is a biblical place name with deep religious resonance, drawn from the Hebrew term meaning 'house of God.' Its usage as a given name in the United States has always been modest; it first appeared in Social Security records in 1890 and reached its peak popularity in 1917, when it ranked 338th. Since 2017, its use has been declining gradually. In 2025, the name was given to roughly 1 in 35,717 babies, placing it at rank 3389. While never widespread, Bethel has had a consistent presence, most notably in the state of Ohio, which recorded the highest concentration of Bethels historically. The name carries a quiet, reverent quality, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive yet meaningful biblical choice.

Bethel is a place name from the Hebrew Bible, composed of 'beth' (house) and 'El' (God), meaning 'house of God.' It was originally the name of an ancient Canaanite city renamed by the patriarch Jacob after his dream of a ladder reaching heaven. As a given name, Bethel has been used sporadically in English-speaking countries, often among religious families, and gained modest popularity in the early 20th century.