Bethel is a unique and distinctive female given name with roots in Hebrew culture. Derived from the Hebrew words "beit" meaning "house" and "el" signifying "God," Bethel translates to "House of God." This name has significant historical and biblical importance.
In the Old Testament, Bethel was originally called Luz, but was renamed by Jacob after he dreamt of a ladder reaching up to heaven with angels ascending and descending upon it. Upon waking, Jacob realized that this was indeed the house of God, hence the name change to Bethel. This event marked the beginning of Jacob's new life and his transformation from a deceitful man into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes.
The name Bethel also carries significance in various cultures throughout history. In Christian tradition, it is considered a sacred site where God's presence is most evident. Many churches around the world are named after this location, honoring its spiritual significance. Additionally, Bethel was an important city during the reign of King Solomon, serving as one of his administrative divisions.
Despite its rich historical background and biblical roots, Bethel remains relatively rare as a given name for females today. However, those who bear this name carry with them a strong connection to their faith and heritage while possessing a unique identity that sets them apart from other namesakes.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Bethel has had varying popularity over the years in the United States. The highest number of births with the name Bethel occurred in 1914, with a total of 28 babies born that year. This was a significant increase from previous years, such as 1907 and 1908, where only 5 births were recorded each year.
The name Bethel continued to be popular throughout the early to mid-1900s, with peaks in births occurring in 1922 (31 births), 1924 and 1925 (both with 32 births), and 1937 (25 births). However, there were also several years where the name was less common, such as 1953 (6 births) and 1958 (5 births).
In more recent years, Bethel has seen a resurgence in popularity. Between 2004 and 2022, there were at least 5 births each year, with peaks in 2016 (9 births) and 2020 (6 births). Overall, the name Bethel has been given to a total of 1010 babies in the United States since 1891.