Bethany Foley

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Bethany Foley — Greek
60K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Bethany Foley is a name that combines Greek origins. The first name Bethany is a feminine given name of Greek origin. Bethany (Greek: Βηθανία (Bethania), which is probably of Aramaic or Hebrew origin, meaning “House of figs" is a feminine given name derived from the Biblical place name, Bethany, a town near Jerusalem, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, where Lazarus lived in the New Testament, along with his sisters, Mary and Martha, and where Jesus stayed during Holy Week before his crucifixion. The name has been well-used in English-speaking countries. It was the 59th most popular name for girls in England and Wales in 2010, having ranked as high as 11th most popular name in those countries in 1999. The surname Foley: Foley is a surname which originated in Ireland, in the southeast Munster region. The name is derived from the original modern Irish Ó Foghlú and older Irish Ó Foghladha, meaning "plunderer". The Lord of the Decies (the Waterford area of Munster) was a title attributed to some early Foleys. Bethany is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 60K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Bethany reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Bethany

Greek

Bethany (Greek: Βηθανία (Bethania), which is probably of Aramaic or Hebrew origin, meaning “House of figs" is a feminine given name derived from the Biblical place name, Bethany, a town near Jerusalem, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, where Lazarus lived in the New Testament, along with his sisters, Mary and Martha, and where Jesus stayed during Holy Week before his crucifixion. The name has been well-used in English-speaking countries. It was the 59th most popular name for girls in England and Wales in 2010, having ranked as high as 11th most popular name in those countries in 1999.

Surname: Foley

Irish

Foley is a surname which originated in Ireland, in the southeast Munster region. The name is derived from the original modern Irish Ó Foghlú and older Irish Ó Foghladha, meaning "plunderer". The Lord of the Decies (the Waterford area of Munster) was a title attributed to some early Foleys.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Bethany is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 52%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 11%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Bethany by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Bethany Foley

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Bethany Foley:

3
Expression Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

8
Soul Urge Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

4
Personality Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Bethany?
The first name Bethany originates from Greek. Bethany (Greek: Βηθανία (Bethania), which is probably of Aramaic or Hebrew origin, meaning “House of figs" is a feminine given name derived from the Biblical place name, Bethany, a town near Jerusalem, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, where Lazarus lived in the New Testament, along with his sisters, Mary and Martha, and where Jesus stayed during Holy Week before his crucifixion. The name has been well-used in English-speaking countries. It was the 59th most popular name for girls in England and Wales in 2010, having ranked as high as 11th most popular name in those countries in 1999.
When was Bethany most popular?
The name Bethany reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Foley?
The surname Foley originates from Irish. Foley is a surname which originated in Ireland, in the southeast Munster region. The name is derived from the original modern Irish Ó Foghlú and older Irish Ó Foghladha, meaning "plunderer". The Lord of the Decies (the Waterford area of Munster) was a title attributed to some early Foleys.
What are the origins of the name Bethany Foley?
The name Bethany Foley combines two different traditions: the first name Bethany has Greek roots, while the surname Foley originates from Irish.
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