Bethlehem
Every Bethlehem since 1985 — 472 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Bethlehem
Bethlehem is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #10,228 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1985, 472 American babies have been named Bethlehem. Its peak came in 2015, when 24 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Bethlehem stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Bethlehem year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | #10,228 |
| 2024 | 10 | #9,667 |
| 2023 | 6 | #13,721 |
| 2022 | 7 | #12,449 |
| 2021 | 14 | #7,696 |
| 2020 | 9 | #10,386 |
| 2019 | 17 | #6,756 |
| 2018 | 14 | #7,821 |
| 2017 | 19 | #6,331 |
| 2016 | 11 | #9,515 |
| 2015 | 24 | #5,491 |
| 2014 | 13 | #8,555 |
| 2013 | 17 | #7,103 |
| 2012 | 15 | #7,872 |
| 2011 | 11 | #9,828 |
| 2010 | 19 | #6,688 |
| 2009 | 15 | #8,121 |
| 2008 | 17 | #7,470 |
| 2007 | 16 | #7,788 |
| 2006 | 17 | #7,198 |
| 2005 | 13 | #8,411 |
| 2004 | 19 | #6,262 |
| 2003 | 13 | #8,065 |
| 2002 | 14 | #7,493 |
| 2001 | 9 | #10,227 |
| 2000 | 15 | #6,850 |
| 1995 | 11 | #7,578 |
| 1990 | 8 | #9,342 |
| 1985 | 5 | #10,833 |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Bethlehem in 2025?
Bethlehem ranked #10,228 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Bethlehem?
472 babies have been named Bethlehem in the United States since 1985, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Bethlehem most popular?
Bethlehem peaked in 2015, when 24 newborns received the name.
Is Bethlehem a boy or girl name?
Bethlehem is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Bethlehem rising or falling?
Bethlehem is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.