beth

Beth is a feminine given name commonly used as a short form of Elizabeth or Bethany, though it is frequently given as a standalone name. In Hebrew, the word beth (beit) means "house" and appears in biblical place names such as Bethlehem and Bethany, reflecting a broader use of the element in toponyms.

As a given name in English-speaking countries, Beth has been used since the mid-20th century and remains relatively common, though Elizabeth remains the longer formal form behind it. The name carries no fixed meaning beyond its association with these longer names.

Notable people and characters with the name include Beth Behrs, an American actress known for the television series 2 Broke Girls; Beth Moore, an American author and evangelical speaker; and Beth Harmon, a fictional chess prodigy in The Queen’s Gambit.

Variants and related names include Betsy, Betty, and Bette as diminutives; longer forms such as Elizabeth and Bethany; and cross-cultural forms like Elisabet, Isabel, and Elizabeth in other languages.

In naming trends and popular culture, Beth is seen as a concise, approachable option that can convey warmth or tradition, depending on the context. It may also appear as part of longer compound names or as a stand-alone given name in various regions.