Bethesda
I read a book set in ancient Rome and one of the characters was named Bethesda. I have totally fallen in love with the name, even though I'm more familiar with it being a place name (Bethesda, MD - a rather posh area at that) I still adore it - I love the sound, how ancient it is, everything about it. Thoughts? Similar names?
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I'm really really trying to separate it from the city in Maryland...but I just can't. It's no different than naming a child Baltimore to me.
I don't tend to like the "beth" sound (except in Elizabeth), but there's always Bethany, Bethan, and Bethania.
Belen is a huge guilty pleasure of mine -- it's the Spanish form of Bethlehem, which is similar to Bethesda.
I don't tend to like the "beth" sound (except in Elizabeth), but there's always Bethany, Bethan, and Bethania.
Belen is a huge guilty pleasure of mine -- it's the Spanish form of Bethlehem, which is similar to Bethesda.
I don't like it. All I can think of is the town, maybe because I have family near there, and the fact that the area is "rather posh" makes the name seem down-market to me, like people who use luxury brand names like Lexus as baby names.
All I think of is Maryland. I think the sound and ancient feeling is appealing, but I couldn't really use it IRL.
I really like Bethany, and it has a similar feel for me. Too common?
I really like Bethany, and it has a similar feel for me. Too common?
Isn't it a place in the Bible? Something to do with the Sea of Galilee? Or am I thinking of something else? It gives off very Biblical connotations to me. It's interesting but it doesn't work for me as a first name.
That's Bethsaida
It made me think of it too.
It made me think of it too.
I've lately been thinkin Beth is super cute, so any Beth name I'd tend to like. I don't really like the sound of the -esda part, though. It makes it sound kind of dark and witchy. I also keep wanting to say Bethseda (like Bethsaida) when I look at it. I like that sound better, too.
I love the name Beth! That's my favourite cousin's name.(Elizabeth really, but always called Beth).
I think its nice. It's snappy, ancient, but still lends itself to a familiar nickname. Not bad!
There is a video game company called Bethesda, makers of the very popular Elder Scroll games (which I'm playing right now, newest one's awesome).
There is a video game company called Bethesda, makers of the very popular Elder Scroll games (which I'm playing right now, newest one's awesome).
I feel so silly saying this but all I can think of is Bethesda Softworks, a game company. They've been rather popular lately with their The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series of games.
Other than that I really like the name. The second and third syllables sounds really appeal to me.
Other than that I really like the name. The second and third syllables sounds really appeal to me.
This message was edited 1/4/2012, 2:40 AM
It's also a place in North Wales, not remotely posh but right next to this:
The associations are good and it would be nice to see as a name, but the sound is a bit fancy for me. On the similar names front, I've always thought Bethel might work (Biblical place-name meaning 'house of God').
The associations are good and it would be nice to see as a name, but the sound is a bit fancy for me. On the similar names front, I've always thought Bethel might work (Biblical place-name meaning 'house of God').
I love Beth, but Bethesda is a bit too much for my tastes