Zepha
A variant of Zephyr, a feminine name meaning "west wind".
Name Census estimates that about 3 living Americans carry the first name Zepha. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Zepha today is around 88 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Zepha births was 1891 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Zepha. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Zepha is about 88 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Zephas were born before 1948.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Zepha. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
3
~ 1 in 114,251,446 Americans
Peak year
1891
7 babies that year
Average age
88
years old
1939 SSA rank
#4,947
Tracked since 1889
Popularity
Zepha: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Zepha from the 1880s through to the 1930s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1910s, with 22 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1910s peak, Zepha remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zepha by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Zepha during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Zepha
The name Zepha finds its origins in the ancient Sumerian language, one of the earliest known written languages, dating back to around 3500 BCE. It is believed to have derived from the Sumerian word "zephu," which translates to "breath" or "wind." This connection suggests that the name may have been associated with concepts of life, vitality, and the natural elements.
While the exact historical references to the name Zepha are scarce, it is speculated that it may have been mentioned in some of the earliest cuneiform inscriptions found in the region of ancient Mesopotamia. However, due to the fragmented nature of these ancient texts, it is difficult to ascertain with certainty the specific contexts in which the name appeared.
The earliest recorded examples of the name Zepha can be traced back to the ancient Sumerian city-states, where it was used as a personal name. One notable figure from this era was Zepha-ili, a prominent merchant and trader who lived around 2300 BCE and was known for his extensive trade networks spanning across the fertile crescent.
Throughout history, the name Zepha has been borne by various individuals from different cultures and time periods. One such individual was Zepha of Alexandria, a renowned scholar and philosopher who lived during the 3rd century BCE. He was known for his contributions to the study of mathematics and his influential writings on the principles of geometry.
In the 9th century CE, Zepha ibn Ishaq al-Razi was a prominent Islamic polymath from Persia. He made significant contributions to various fields, including medicine, philosophy, and astronomy. His works on medical ethics and treatment methods were highly influential during his time and are still studied today.
During the Renaissance period, Zepha Alighieri, an Italian painter and sculptor from Florence, gained recognition for his masterful depictions of religious and mythological scenes. Born in 1456, his works adorned many churches and cathedrals throughout Italy, cementing his legacy as a skilled artist of the era.
Another notable figure bearing the name Zepha was Zepha Montague, a British explorer and naturalist who lived from 1685 to 1767. He embarked on several expeditions to the Americas, documenting and studying the diverse flora and fauna of the regions he visited. His detailed accounts and illustrations contributed significantly to the field of natural history during that time.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Zepha throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and disciplines. While the name may have originated from ancient Sumerian roots, its enduring presence across different cultures and time periods highlights its timeless appeal and the diverse narratives it has encompassed.
People
Zepha + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Zepha as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with Z
Other first names starting with Z with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Zepha: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Zepha?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 3 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Zepha going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 114,251,446 US residents.
Is Zepha a common name?
We classify Zepha as "Very Rare". It ranks above 4.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 50 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Zepha most popular?
The single biggest year for Zepha was 1891, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Zepha is about 88 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Zepha in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Zepha a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Zepha in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Zepha still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Zepha in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Zepha can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have Zepha as a first name?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.