Bethel
Bethel is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
House of God.
Origin and history
Bethel is a traditional name derived from a biblical place name meaning 'house of God'. Historically used as both a place name and a given name, it has maintained a steady, modest presence in the United States over the decades. Today, it remains an uncommon choice primarily valued for its spiritual heritage and vintage feel.
Popularity in the United States
5,221 babies in the United States have been named Bethel since 1880. It ranks #2391 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1813.
States where it is most popular
- KY (16.6 %)
- TX (12.2 %)
- MI (10.5 %)
- CA (10.2 %)
- WV (7.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 141 |
| 1900-1910 | 262 |
| 1910-1920 | 798 |
| 1920-1930 | 977 |
| 1930-1940 | 606 |
| 1940-1950 | 392 |
| 1950-1960 | 250 |
| 1960-1970 | 224 |
| 1970-1980 | 130 |
| 1980-1990 | 107 |
| 1990-2000 | 111 |
| 2000-2010 | 324 |
| 2010-2019 | 611 |
| 2020-2029 | 288 |
Fun facts
- In the Book of Genesis, Bethel is the site of Jacob's famous dream involving a ladder reaching up to heaven.
- Because of its biblical roots, Bethel became a very popular name for towns, chapels, and institutions throughout the English-speaking world.