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Bethel

♀ Girl

Bethel Pronunciation

Bethel is pronounced BETH-əl /ˈbɛθ.əl/High

Meaning: House of God; the biblical place where Jacob dreamed of the ladder to heavenHigh

In 30 seconds: The place where heaven touched earth: Bethel is Hebrew 'house of God' — where Jacob dreamed of the ladder to heaven and named the ground holy. A sanctuary in a name, with Beth inside.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningHouse of God; the biblical place where Jacob dreamed of the ladder to heaven

U.S. rank (2024)#3645 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births42 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1922

Total births (all-time)≈ 5,176

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Bethel is Hebrew Beth-El, 'house of God' — the place where Jacob dreamed of the stairway to heaven and set up a pillar (Genesis 28). The name spread through countless churches and towns, and as a girls' name it thrives especially in Ethiopian and African Christian communities.

In the U.S. it appears across Habesha and church-rooted families, rare nationally. Sacred at the root, with the friendly Beth built in.

Did you know? Jacob named Bethel after dreaming of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending — 'this is the house of God, the gate of heaven', he said on waking.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Bethel — etymology

Variations

BethelleBetel

Nicknames

BethBethy

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Bethel…

Bethany— a fellow Beth- biblical place name

Selah— the companion scriptural word name

Eden— the paradise-place name beside it

Raquel— lands in the same popularity range

Jael— another Hebrew name

→ See all names like Bethel

Browse the whole category: All Hebrew names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Bethel?

Bethel is pronounced BETH-əl (/ˈbɛθ.əl/). Press play above to hear Bethel said aloud.

How do you say Bethel?

Bethel is said BETH-əl (/ˈbɛθ.əl/). Press play above to hear Bethel said aloud.

What does the name Bethel mean?

Bethel is Hebrew for 'house of God' — the place where Jacob dreamed of the ladder to heaven.

Is Bethel a boy or girl name?

Bethel is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Bethel?

Bethel is a rare name in the U.S., familiar in Ethiopian and church-rooted families.