Ketura

Meaning & origin

Ketura is a rare feminine name that first entered American birth records in 1973. Its highest popularity came in 1981, the peak year, after which usage declined. As of 2025, the name ranks 14,942, given to approximately 1 in every 321,453 baby girls. The trajectory has remained stable in recent decades, with neither a sharp increase nor decrease. Since the name is so uncommon, no top states have been recorded by the Social Security Administration. Ketura likely represents a modern English respelling of Keturah, a biblical name borne by Abraham's wife. Parents choosing Ketura may appreciate its Old Testament resonance while giving their daughter a less traditional spelling. Sibling suggestions that complement Ketura's biblical and sound elements include sisters like Mira, Shira, or Talia, and brothers like Eli, Noah, or Isaac.

Ketura is likely a modern respelling or variant of Keturah, a name that appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of Abraham's second wife. Keturah is traditionally derived from the Hebrew root qtr, meaning 'incense' or 'fragrance.' Ketura may also have been coined independently in English-speaking countries as a feminine given name. Its use in the United States is rare, with first recorded instances in the 1970s.