Ketura Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: keh-TOO-rah //kəˈtʊərə//
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Hebrew: 'a myrtle tree'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ketura has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the word "qetorah," which means "incense" or "to burn incense." This etymological origin reflects a connection to aromatic substances used in ancient rituals and worship practices. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis, where Keturah is identified as the wife of Abraham after the death of Sarah.
The biblical narrative, dating back to the early first millennium BCE, highlights her significance as the mother of several children, including Midian, which ties her to the lineage of various tribes and peoples mentioned in the scriptures. Historically, Keturah's mention in the biblical texts has contributed to her recognition in Jewish tradition and Christian interpretations.
The name is often associated with themes of fertility and divine promise, as Keturah bore children to Abraham, who is a pivotal figure in the Abrahamic faiths. The King James Bible, published in 1611, further solidified her presence in the English-speaking world, as it translated and disseminated biblical names and stories widely, allowing Keturah to be recognized beyond Hebrew-speaking communities.
Culturally, Keturah symbolizes the continuation of legacy and the importance of familial ties in biblical narratives. The name has been embraced in various forms and adaptations across cultures, often reflecting the values of kinship and heritage.
While diminutive forms or variations may exist, Keturah itself maintains a strong connection to its original meaning and historical context, representing a blend of spiritual significance and familial continuity in ancient traditions.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ketura, 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 Ketura. 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 Ketura was first seen in the United States in 1973.
Ketura has ranked as high as #1106 nationally, which occurred in 1981, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Ketura has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Ketura 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 Ketura was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Ketura
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 Ketura.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 1999 | 9 |
| 1998 | 6 |
| 1997 | 5 |
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1990 | 10 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1988 | 5 |
| 1987 | 5 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1983 | 9 |
| 1982 | 9 |
| 1981 | 13 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1979 | 9 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1976 | 5 |
| 1973 | 6 |