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

Popularity of Tabitha by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Tabitha is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Tabitha being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 142 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Tabitha.

The history of the first name Tabitha

The name Tabitha has its origins in the Aramaic language, with the earliest known use dating back to ancient times in the Middle East. It is derived from the Aramaic word "tsebiyah," which means "gazelle" or "doe." The name likely emerged as a term of endearment, likening the grace and beauty of a young woman to that of a graceful gazelle.

In the New Testament of the Bible, the name Tabitha is mentioned in the Book of Acts, where it refers to a woman named Dorcas, a disciple who lived in Joppa (modern-day Jaffa, Israel). She was known for her charitable works and was raised from the dead by the apostle Peter, who called her by her Aramaic name, Tabitha.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Tabitha was Tabitha of Bethania, a 4th-century Christian martyr who lived in Bethania, near Jerusalem. She is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

In the 17th century, the name Tabitha gained popularity among Puritans in England and later in the American colonies. It was seen as a virtuous and biblical name, reflecting the values of the Puritan movement.

Notable individuals named Tabitha throughout history include:

1. Tabitha Babbitt (1784-1853), an American folk artist and painter known for her portraits and still-life paintings.
2. Tabitha Cadbury (1766-1832), an English Quaker and philanthropist who established the Cadbury chocolate company with her husband, John Cadbury.
3. Tabitha King (born 1949), an American writer and the wife of acclaimed author Stephen King.
4. Tabitha Soren (born 1967), an American photographer and former MTV News correspondent.
5. Tabitha St. Germain (born 1957), a Canadian voice actress known for her work in various animated series and video games.

The name Tabitha has maintained a steady presence throughout history, appreciated for its biblical roots and its association with grace, beauty, and charitable deeds. While its popularity may have fluctuated over time, it remains a beloved name with a rich cultural heritage.

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 Tabitha was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!