[Facts] Re: Origin of Bethamy
by Domhnall (guest)
1/7/2004, 2:12 AM
If I were to wage a guess, Satu is dead on target.
As I understand it, the use of "Bethany" as a given-name is relatively new (just a guess, but likely very rare before the twentieth century). Otherwise, most 'beth' names are derived from the name "Elizabeth." Traditionally, the mixing of "Elizabeth" short-forms (Eli, Elisa, Lisa, Lis, Beth, Bet, &c) with other names is found predominantly among Germans & Scandinavians, though in English as well.
So this name, if not a varient on "Bethany" with "Amy," is likely a cross of "Elizabeth" and "Amy." Only your parents could tell you what they intended.
It's possible the name was intended as some bilingual cross-breed:
'beth' meaning 'house' in Hebrew
'aimée' meaning 'beloved' in French