Japheth
Boy nameJapheth has been given to 1,387 babies in the U.S. since 1970. It peaked in 2007.
Meaning & origin /ˈd͡ʒeɪfɛθ/
From Middle English Jafeth (as attested in Wycliffe's Bible), from Old English Iafeth (see e.g. Aelfric of Eynsham) and Middle French Japhet, both from Late Latin Iaphet, Iafeth, from Koine Greek Ἰάφεθ (Iápheth), from Hebrew יֶפֶת (yépheth). Further origin uncertain; folk etymology as well as rabbinical and patristic claims usually point to a meaning like "enlarged", in reference to Genesis 9:27, or "fair" (pale, in reference to complexion).
Origin: Hebrew
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Popularity over time births per year, 1880–2025
Total babies
1,387
Peak year
2007 (51 babies)
Rank in 2025
Below top 1000
First recorded
1970
10-year trend
▼ -21%
Gender split
All boys
Names with a similar vibe
Same primary gender, peaked around the same years, and roughly as common as Japheth.
FAQ
How popular is the name Japheth?
Japheth has been given to 1,387 babies in the U.S. since 1970. It ranked below the top 1000 in 2025.
When did the name Japheth peak?
Japheth peaked in 2007, when 51 babies were given the name.
Is Japheth a girl or boy name?
Japheth is primarily a boy name (100% of babies named Japheth are boys).
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