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

Popularity of Naftali by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 72 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Naftali.

The history of the first name Naftali

The name Naftali has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, and can be traced back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "naftulim," which means "wrestlings" or "struggles." The name is believed to have originated during the biblical period, and is associated with the biblical figure Naphtali, one of the twelve sons of Jacob.

In the Book of Genesis, Naphtali is described as the sixth son of Jacob and Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid. The name Naphtali is mentioned several times in the Hebrew Bible, including in the blessings that Jacob bestowed upon his sons before his death. The tribe of Naphtali, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, was named after him.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Naftali can be found in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis. Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore this name, including:

1. Naftali Hertz Wessely (1725-1805), a Jewish writer and educator who played a significant role in the Haskalah, the Jewish Enlightenment movement.
2. Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin (1817-1893), also known as the Netziv, a prominent Lithuanian rabbi and Talmudic scholar.
3. Naftali Herz Imber (1856-1909), a Hebrew poet and writer who authored the lyrics of "Hatikvah," the national anthem of Israel.
4. Naftali Trop (1888-1966), a Ukrainian-born American Hebrew scholar and educator who served as the executive vice president of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.
5. Naftali Frenkel (1952-2014), an Israeli businessman and activist who worked tirelessly to secure the release of Israeli soldiers held captive by Hamas.

These individuals hailed from various backgrounds and time periods, but they all shared the name Naftali, which has its roots in the ancient Hebrew language and culture. The name has endured for centuries, serving as a reminder of the rich heritage and history associated with its origins.

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 Naftali was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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