Beth
Beth began as a short form of Elizabeth (Hebrew "Elisheva," meaning God is my oath). In Hebrew, "beth" means house — the same root appears in Bethlehem (house of bread) and Bethany. As a standalone name, Beth is mid-20th-century American. It was the friendly girl next door — Beth March in Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" (1868) gave it literary roots, but the name really took off in the 1950s and 60s. Beth peaked at #65 in 1964. It was simple, Protestant, and easy to say — perfect for postwar America. Then it declined, partly because the longer Elizabeth made a comeback as a first name rather than a parent-name. Beth has been outside the top 1000 since 2011. The song "Beth" by Kiss (1976) — a power ballad about a musician on the road missing his wife — gave the name a slightly wistful rock-and-roll charge. I find Beth appealing in its brevity: one syllable, soft consonants, no complications. It sounds friendly and sincere. The name may yet return as a short form in its own right. Beth is a female name of Hebrew origin that means "House (from Beth-el)". Simple, sincere, and friendly. The name sounds approachable. Beths tend to be warm and direct. US peaked #65 in 1964. Outside top 1000 since 2011. Well-known people named Beth include Beth March (Little Women), Beth Ditto (singer), Beth Orton (singer), Beth (Kiss song). Common variations and related forms of Beth include Elizabeth (full form), Bet (short), Bess (related), Betsy (related).