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

Popularity of Seth by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Seth is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Seth being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 562 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Seth.

The history of the first name Seth

The name Seth has its origins in ancient Egypt, derived from the Egyptian god of storms, deserts, and chaos. It dates back to around 3100 BC and was originally written as "Sutekh" or "Setesh" in hieroglyphic texts. The name is believed to be linked to the ancient Egyptian word "sedj," meaning "to be rebel" or "to be rebellious."

In the ancient Egyptian mythology, Seth was the son of Geb, the god of the earth, and Nut, the goddess of the sky. He was initially depicted as a protector of the pharaohs but later became associated with violence, chaos, and the desert due to his involvement in the murder of his brother Osiris.

The name Seth appears in various ancient Egyptian texts, including the Pyramid Texts and the Book of the Dead. It was also mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, where Seth was the third son of Adam and Eve, born after Cain and Abel.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Seth comes from an ancient Egyptian royal inscription dating back to around 2600 BC, referring to a high official named "Seth-mes." In Greek mythology, Seth was associated with the god Typhon, the monstrous embodiment of chaos and destruction.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Seth. Here are five examples:

1. Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve in the Book of Genesis (biblical figure, circa 4000 BC).
2. Seth-Peribsen, an Egyptian pharaoh of the Second Dynasty who ruled around 2770-2670 BC.
3. Seth Wardicus, a Roman writer and historian who lived in the 1st century AD.
4. Seth Calvisius, a German mathematician and astronomer (1556-1617) known for his work on the Gregorian calendar reform.
5. Seth Leavitt, an American astronomer (1796-1857) who discovered several comets and calculated the orbit of the Great Comet of 1853.

The name Seth has maintained its significance throughout various cultures and religions, often representing a connection to ancient Egyptian mythology, chaos, and rebellion.

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

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

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