The name Tabatha is a feminine given name derived from the Aramaic name תַּבִּיתָא (Tabbitha), which itself may have originated from the Semitic root word meaning "gazelle" or "graceful". It is closely related to the Greek name Δορκάς (Dorcas), which has the same meaning and appears in the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament.

The earliest recorded use of the name Tabitha (the Latinized spelling of Tabbitha) dates back to the 1st century AD, when it was mentioned in the Bible's Acts of the Apostles 9:36. This passage refers to a woman named Tabitha, a disciple who lived in Joppa and was known for her good works and acts of charity. After her death, she was miraculously brought back to life by the apostle Peter.

Throughout history, the name has been spelled in various ways, including Tabitha, Tabytha, Tabbitha, and Tabatha. The latter spelling, Tabatha, became more common in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest known historical figures with the name Tabatha was Tabatha of Gwynedd, a 6th-century Welsh princess and saint. Another notable figure was Tabatha Corry (c. 1758-1828), an Irish author and playwright who was a prominent figure in the literary circles of Dublin.

In the 19th century, Tabatha Spruce Henley (1823-1904) was an American educator and philanthropist who founded the Henley School for Young Ladies in Tennessee. Around the same time, Tabatha Twitchit was a fictional character in the children's books by Beatrix Potter, first appearing in "The Tale of Samuel Whiskers" in 1908.

In more recent times, Tabatha Coffey (born 1969) is an Australian hairstylist and television personality best known for hosting the reality shows "Tabatha's Salon Takeover" and "Relative Success with Tabatha".

While not as common as some other names, Tabatha has maintained a presence throughout history, with its origins rooted in ancient Aramaic and its meaning associated with grace and beauty.