Find out how popular the first name Marybeth has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Marybeth by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Marybeth is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 17 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Marybeth.

The history of the first name Marybeth

The given name Marybeth is a combination of two names, Mary and Beth, both of which have rich historical roots and cultural significance.

The name Mary is derived from the ancient Hebrew name Miryam, which is believed to have originated from the Hebrew words "mar" meaning "bitter" and "yam" meaning "sea." This name has been used across various cultures and religions throughout history. In the Christian tradition, Mary is revered as the mother of Jesus Christ, and her name has become one of the most popular names worldwide.

Beth, on the other hand, is a shortened form of the Hebrew name Elizabeth, which means "my God is an oath" or "my God is abundance." This name has its roots in the Old Testament and was borne by the mother of John the Baptist.

While the combined name Marybeth is not found in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is likely that this name emerged as a combination of the two popular names, Mary and Beth, in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Marybeth can be traced back to the late 19th century. One notable figure with this name was Marybeth Tinning (1942-2018), an American serial killer who murdered nine of her own children between 1972 and 1985.

Another notable Marybeth was Marybeth Whalen (1954-2013), an American singer-songwriter and guitarist who performed with the rock band The Cookers in the 1970s.

In the literary world, Marybeth Lorbiecki (1954-) is an American author known for her young adult novels, including "Iced Chiffon" and "Doubters' Novena."

Marybeth Gasman (1962-) is an American historian and professor at Rutgers University, known for her research on historically Black colleges and universities.

Lastly, Marybeth Tinning (1942-2018), mentioned earlier, was a notorious American serial killer who confessed to murdering nine of her own children between 1972 and 1985, shocking the nation with her crimes.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Marybeth, showcasing its enduring presence across various fields and eras.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Marybeth was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Marybeth, please contact us.

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