Find out how popular the first name Japheth has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Japheth by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Japheth is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 33 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Japheth.

The history of the first name Japheth

The name Japheth is a biblical name that originates from the Hebrew language. It is derived from the Hebrew root word "yafah," which means "to be fair" or "to be beautiful." The name was first mentioned in the Book of Genesis, where Japheth was one of the three sons of Noah, along with Shem and Ham.

In the biblical account, Japheth and his brothers were responsible for repopulating the earth after the Great Flood. The name Japheth is associated with the descendants of Noah who are believed to have settled in the regions of Europe, Asia Minor, and parts of the Middle East.

The name Japheth has a rich historical significance in various cultures and religious traditions. In Greek mythology, Japheth was known as Iapetos, one of the Titans who fought against the Olympian gods. In the Islamic tradition, Japheth is referred to as Yafith, and he is mentioned in the Qur'an as one of the sons of Noah.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Japheth can be found in the Bible, where he is mentioned as the son of Noah. However, there are few historical figures with this name throughout the centuries.

One notable person named Japheth was Japheth ben Eli, a Jewish scholar and commentator who lived in the 11th century. He wrote extensively on the Talmud and Jewish law.

Another individual with the name Japheth was Japheth ben Nuri, a 10th-century Karaite Jewish scholar and exegete from Jerusalem. He was known for his work on the Hebrew Bible and his contributions to the Karaite movement.

In the 17th century, Japheth Schwarz was a German Lutheran theologian and philosopher who wrote on the harmony between reason and faith. He was born in 1592 and died in 1637.

Japheth Nouri was an Armenian merchant and diplomat who lived in the 18th century. He was born in 1709 and served as a representative of the Armenian community in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul).

Japheth Randolph was an American politician and lawyer who served as the first Attorney General of Virginia in the late 18th century. He was born in 1723 and died in 1799.

These are some of the notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Japheth, a name with deep roots in biblical and cultural traditions, symbolizing beauty and a connection to the descendants of Noah.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Japheth was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Japheth, please contact us.

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