Neftaly is a given name of Greek origin, derived from the word "Nephthalim," which means "my struggle" or "wrestled with." The name is associated with the biblical figure Naphtali, one of the twelve sons of the patriarch Jacob in the Old Testament.

The name Neftaly first appeared in ancient Hebrew texts and religious scriptures, such as the Book of Genesis and the Book of Numbers. It gained popularity among early Christian communities as a symbol of faith and perseverance.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Neftaly can be found in the sixth century, when a monk named Neftaly of Vatopedi lived and worked at the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, Greece. He is revered as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

In the ninth century, a renowned Byzantine scholar and mathematician named Neftaly Granik made significant contributions to the fields of astronomy and mathematics. His works on celestial mechanics and the calculation of solar eclipses were widely studied during the Middle Ages.

During the Renaissance period, a Italian painter named Neftaly Rossi (1505-1578) gained recognition for his religious frescoes and altarpieces, which adorned numerous churches and cathedrals across Italy.

In the 18th century, a Spanish explorer named Neftaly de Villanueva (1718-1792) was one of the first Europeans to map and document the coastline of present-day British Columbia, Canada.

Another notable figure was Neftaly Zegrí (1832-1901), a renowned Moroccan diplomat and statesman who played a crucial role in negotiating treaties between Morocco and various European powers during the latter half of the 19th century.