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Tabitha

Tabitha is an Aramaic name meaning gazelle.

Ranked #1308 in the 2025 SSA records, peaked at #126 in 1978, declining over the past 5 years.

Tabitha is remembered in Acts as a disciple known for good works, generosity, and care for others.

Browse names
OriginAramaic
GenderGirl
FeelGenerous
PronunciationTAB-ih-thuh

Is Tabitha biblical?

Yes

Biblical status Direct biblical person

Tabitha is a named person in Acts 9, a disciple in Joppa raised by Peter, also called Dorcas, the Greek translation of her name.

Is Tabitha a Christian name?

Used by Christians, not distinctively

Christian tradition Christian cultural usage

Tabitha is a minor New Testament disciple with modest, somewhat old-fashioned naming use, carrying a limited saint commemoration rather than deep cross-tradition heritage.

Plain answer

Tabitha is a biblical name borne by the Joppa disciple of Acts 9, used among Christians as a gentle, recognizable name without a major church-tradition heritage.

Confidence Moderate Last reviewed July 19, 2026 How this works

Meaning

The meaning of Tabitha

Tabitha means gazelle. Acts also gives the Greek equivalent Dorcas, which has the same meaning. The biblical story gives the name a strong association with charity and beloved service.

Name story

A disciple known for good works

Tabitha appears in Acts 9 as a woman whose life had become a blessing to others. When she dies, the community's grief shows how deeply her generosity mattered.

Peter prays, and Tabitha is restored to life. Her story is both tender and powerful, rooted in everyday acts of mercy.

Christian reading

Charity with a name

Tabitha reminds Christian readers that good works are not abstract. They are garments made, people helped, and a community strengthened by practical love.

As a name, Tabitha can suggest kindness, service, and resurrection hope without sounding overly solemn.

Sound

How to pronounce Tabitha

Phonetic
TAB-ih-thuh
IPA
/ˈtæbɪθə/

3 syllables · stress: TAB-ih-thuh · ends in a vowel

Forms

Variants and nicknames

Alternate spellings

  • Tabatha
  • Tabytha
  • Tabea

Short forms and nicknames

  • Tabby
  • Tibbie

Languages

Tabitha in other languages

Aramaic
טַבְיְתָאTabithaAramaic Tabitha means "gazelle"; the Greek Dorkas (Δορκάς) in Acts 9:36 is the translation, used in some Christian traditions as the personal name Dorcas for the same biblical figure.
Greek
ΤαβιθάTabitha
Latin
Tabitha
Spanish
Tabita
French
Tabitha
German
Tabitha
Italian
Tabita
Russian
ТавифаTavifa

Christian background

Christian and biblical background

Tabitha matters in Christian tradition because Acts explicitly calls her a disciple and describes her life of good works and charity.

Scripture

The biblical figure

Tabitha, also called Dorcas, is a disciple in Joppa who is raised after Peter prays in Acts 9.

Bearers

Notable people named Tabitha

  • biblical

    Tabitha (Dorcas)Disciple in Joppa famous for her charitable works, raised from death by Peter in Acts 9; Dorcas is the Greek translation of her Aramaic name and refers to the same person

  • modern

    Tabitha KingAmerican novelist, born 1949

  • modern

    Tabitha BrownAmerican actress and social-media food personality, born 1979

Saint

Saint Tabitha (Dorcas)

Traditions
Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican

Orthodox tradition commemorates Tabitha as a Holy Disciple, raised from the dead by the apostle Peter in Acts 9. The Roman Martyrology also commemorates her.

Naming history

Naming tradition and history

Tabitha has a gentle old-fashioned quality in English use. It is recognizable but not overused, and the nickname Tabby makes it approachable.

Recent US use

Tabitha in recent US use

Rank in 2025
#1308
Peak rank
#126 in 1978
Recent trend
declining over the last 5 years
Years in the SSA records
135 (since 1880)

Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.

Sibling fit

Sibling name suggestions

Pairings

Names paired with Tabitha

  • Peterfigure who raised her

    Peter is summoned to Joppa when Tabitha dies; he prays and raises her from the dead (Acts 9:36-42), one of the few resurrections recorded in the apostolic writings.

For families

For families looking at Tabitha

Tabitha may suit parents who want a biblical girl name connected with generosity, tenderness, and faithful service.

Common questions

What does Tabitha mean?

Tabitha means gazelle.

Is Tabitha a biblical name?

Yes. Tabitha appears in Acts 9 and is also called Dorcas.

What is Tabitha known for?

Tabitha is known for good works, generosity, and being raised after Peter prays.

Sources

Sources for Tabitha

  • The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, Koehler and BaumgartnerSupports: Aramaic etymology; meaning 'gazelle'.
  • The Acts of the Apostles, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: biblical figure, disciple in Joppa raised by Peter (Acts 9:36).
  • The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, David Hugh Farmer (5th edition)Supports: Saint Tabitha (Dorcas).

Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.

Read next

Related names

PhoebeBoth are New Testament women named in their substantive ministry roles; Tabitha making garments for widows in Joppa (Acts 9:36-42), Phoebe carrying Paul's letter to Rome.LydiaBoth are New Testament women defined by their household role in the early church; Tabitha in Joppa, Lydia in Philippi.GraceBoth are Christian girls' names connected with mercy; Tabitha's ministry to widows in Acts 9 is one of the first concrete acts of organized Christian charity.