Tabitha

Definition

This comes from an Aramaic word meaning "gazelle". Dorcas is the Greek translation of the name. In the Bible we are told "there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas" (Acts 9:36). She died, and the Apostle Peter was summoned. He went to the body and said "Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up". The trouble taken in this account to give the Aramaic as well as the Greek form of the name probably arises from a desire to echo Jesus" words in Mark 5:41, when He performs a similar miracle: "And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi: which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise". Talitha ("damsel") is sometimes used as a first name. Although Tabitha is now the more frequent form of the name, Dorcas was popular in the past and Dorcas Societies were formed where women would meet to make clothes for the poor, inspired by the biblical Dorcas, who was "full of good works and almsdeeds". Arabic also has two names meaning "gazelle", Ghazal or Ghazala, and Rasha which means "young gazelle".

Sex

Girls

Similar names

Dorcas, Ghazal, Ghazala, Rasha, Talitha

Naming Your Baby
Copyright © 2007 Julia Cresswell