Bethany
/ˈbɛθ.əni/noun
A biblical place name and feminine given name.
Did you know?Bethany is traditionally linked to a village near Jerusalem, and its exact ancient meaning is uncertain, which is why scholars often treat it as a place-name rather than a cleanly translated word.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical era
Aramaic/Hebrew
Bēṯ ʿanyā / Beth ʿanyah
“A Semitic place-name associated with the village near Jerusalem; the precise original sense is debated.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Βηθανία (Bēthanía)
“Greek form of the biblical place-name used in the New Testament.”
Late Latin
Latin
Bethania
“Latinized biblical place-name.”
Old English / Medieval English
English
Bethania / Bethany
“Used in biblical and devotional contexts as the name of the village of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.”
Modern English
English
Bethany
“A feminine given name and a biblical place name.”