Find out how popular the first name Shaphan has been for the last 32 years (from 1976 to 2007) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shaphan by gender

Based on the last 32 years of data, Shaphan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2007, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Shaphan.

The history of the first name Shaphan

The name Shaphan originates from the Hebrew language and can be traced back to ancient biblical times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "shofan," which means "rock badger" or "cony," a small rabbit-like mammal found in the Middle East.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shaphan is found in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Jeremiah and the Book of Kings. Shaphan was the name of a prominent scribe and secretary who served under King Josiah of Judah in the 7th century BC. He played a crucial role in the rediscovery of the Book of the Law during the renovation of the Temple in Jerusalem.

In the Bible, Shaphan is described as a righteous and faithful servant who assisted in the religious reforms undertaken by King Josiah. His sons, Ahikam, Elasah, and Gemariah, are also mentioned in the biblical accounts, indicating that the name Shaphan had significance within his family lineage.

Beyond its biblical origins, the name Shaphan has been used throughout history, although its popularity has varied across different cultures and time periods. One notable figure who bore the name was Shaphan Sira, a Jewish philosopher and poet who lived in the 3rd century BC in Alexandria, Egypt. He is known for his work, the Book of Ben Sira, which is part of the Apocrypha.

Another individual named Shaphan was a Jewish scholar and commentator from the 11th century AD who lived in Narbonne, France. He is renowned for his contributions to the study of the Talmud and his interpretations of Jewish law.

In more recent times, Shaphan has been less commonly used as a given name, although it can still be found in certain communities, particularly those with Jewish or Middle Eastern roots. One example is Shaphan Abiri, an Israeli artist and sculptor born in 1927 who gained recognition for his abstract and figurative works.

It is worth noting that the name Shaphan has also been transcribed or transliterated in various ways, such as Shafan or Safan, depending on the language and cultural context. However, its origins can be traced back to the ancient Hebrew name and its biblical significance.

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

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

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