Keturah

Keturah is a Hebrew given name. It derives from the Hebrew Keturah, a form associated with incense or fragrance, and is used in various spellings such as Ketura and Keturah in modern contexts.

In the Hebrew Bible, Keturah is described as Abraham's wife after the death of Sarah. She is mentioned in Genesis 25:1-4, where she bears Abraham six sons: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The narrative later introduces the Midianites among the peoples descended from her son Midian, reflecting the broader biblical theme of ancestral lineages linking the patriarchs to various tribes of the Near East.

Etymologically, Keturah is linked to the idea of fragrance or incense, though the exact nuance of the name in ancient Hebrew is debated. In biblical scholarship, the name is primarily treated as a proper name with its own historical and literary significance within the Genesis genealogies rather than as a common noun.

In modern times, Keturah is used as a female given name in English-speaking countries and elsewhere, often chosen for its biblical associations and distinct sound. Variants such as Ketura and Keturah are encountered, with the name appearing in contemporary literature and personal naming alike.