Bethsheba Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: beth-SHEE-bah /bɛθˈʃiːbə/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: daughter of the oath
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Bethsheba has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the elements 'beth,' meaning 'house,' and 'sheba,' which translates to 'oath' or 'seven.' This etymological composition suggests a meaning akin to 'house of the oath' or 'house of seven.' The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where it is associated with a significant biblical figure, Bathsheba, the wife of King David and the mother of Solomon. The spelling 'Bethsheba' is a variant that reflects the transliteration from Hebrew into English, particularly through the Greek and Latin forms found in early biblical translations.
Historically, Bathsheba is a prominent character in the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Samuel and Kings, which date back to the 10th century BCE. Her story is pivotal, as it intertwines with themes of power, morality, and divine providence.
Bathsheba's narrative includes her initial encounter with David, the birth of their son Solomon, and her role in the succession of the throne, which has been a subject of theological and literary exploration throughout the centuries. The name Bathsheba has been referenced in various translations of the Bible, including the Septuagint and the Vulgate, which helped to solidify its presence in Christian tradition.
Culturally, the name Bathsheba has resonated through literature and art, often symbolizing beauty, seduction, and the complexities of human relationships. The character has been depicted in numerous works, from classical paintings to modern literature, reflecting the enduring nature of her story.
The name also has diminutive forms, such as Sheba, which have been used in various contexts, although the full form remains more historically significant. Overall, Bethsheba embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic heritage, historical significance, and cultural resonance that has contributed to its lasting legacy.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Bethsheba, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Bethsheba. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Bethsheba was first seen in the United States in 1979.
Bethsheba has ranked as high as #1121 nationally, which occurred in 1979, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Bethsheba has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Bethsheba is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Bethsheba was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Bethsheba
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Bethsheba.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1979 | 5 |