Bethe is a name of German origin, meaning "bath". It is typically used as a boy's name but can also be given to girls. The name Bethe is composed of two elements: "bad" meaning "bath" and "-haim" meaning "home". Thus, the name suggests someone who is connected to water or has a strong association with home life. In German-speaking countries, it was traditionally used as a shortened form of names like Bertram or Berthold. However, in recent years, Bethe has been increasingly used as an independent given name, particularly for girls. It is also notable as the name of physicist and Nobel laureate Hans Bethe (1906-2005), who made significant contributions to quantum mechanics and nuclear physics.
"Bethe is not a particularly common name, with only 5 to 7 births per year between 1948 and 1966, totaling 34 babies."