Fun Facts About the Name Japheth
- More than 1 thousand babies named Japheth: U.S. records list 1,387 babies given the name Japheth from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Japheth Mean?
Japheth is a biblical name of Hebrew origin, borne in the book of Genesis by one of the three sons of Noah. The Hebrew form is יֶפֶת (Yephet). Its meaning is usually given as "enlargement" or "may he enlarge," derived from the Hebrew root פָּתָה (patah), which means "to open" or "to be wide."
Much of this explanation comes from a wordplay in Genesis 9:27, where Noah says, "May God enlarge (yapt) Japheth (Yephet)." Because the verse itself ties the name to that verb, some scholars treat the link as a pun on the name rather than proof of its origin. Other suggestions include a connection to the Hebrew יָפֶה (yafeh), meaning "beautiful," and a possible relationship to the Greek name Iapetos, a Titan and father of Prometheus. Neither of those alternatives is firmly established, and the exact derivation remains uncertain.
Japheth Name History & Origins
Japheth appears in Genesis as a son of Noah and a brother of Shem and Ham. The "Table of Nations" in Genesis 10 names his sons and grandsons, including Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras, and traditional interpretation places his descendants among peoples to the north and west of Israel, with Javan often linked to the Greeks and Madai to the Medes.
The name passed into other languages through ancient translations. The Greek Septuagint renders it Ἰάφεθ (Iapheth), and the Latin Vulgate uses Iapheth, forms that carried into later European translations as Japheth. In Islamic tradition the figure is known as Yafith. Jewish and Christian writers in later centuries expanded on his place in the genealogies, sometimes connecting his line to Europe.
The resemblance between Japheth and the Greek Iapetos has been noticed since antiquity. Whether the two names share an origin or simply sound alike is debated, and no conclusion is settled.
How Popular is the Name Japheth?
Japheth has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2007. Its best rank was #1,842 in 1983.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #3,405 | 34 | 0.0020% |
| 2024 | #3,236 | 37 | 0.0022% |
| 2023 | #3,501 | 33 | 0.0019% |
| 2022 | #3,435 | 34 | 0.0019% |
| 2021 | #4,060 | 26 | 0.0015% |
| 2020 | #2,858 | 42 | 0.0024% |
| 2019 | #3,381 | 34 | 0.0019% |
| 2018 | #2,965 | 40 | 0.0022% |
| 2017 | #3,272 | 35 | 0.0019% |
| 2016 | #3,028 | 39 | 0.0021% |
| 2015 | #2,783 | 43 | 0.0022% |
| 2014 | #2,774 | 43 | 0.0022% |
| 2013 | #3,022 | 37 | 0.0020% |
| 2012 | #3,837 | 27 | 0.0014% |
| 2011 | #3,202 | 35 | 0.0018% |
| 2010 | #3,754 | 28 | 0.0015% |
| 2009 | #2,970 | 40 | 0.0020% |
| 2008 | #4,609 | 21 | 0.0010% |
| 2007 | #2,488 | 51 | 0.0025% |
| 2006 | #2,901 | 39 | 0.0019% |
| 2005 | #3,119 | 33 | 0.0017% |
| 2004 | #3,492 | 27 | 0.0014% |
| 2003 | #2,959 | 33 | 0.0017% |
| 2002 | #3,218 | 28 | 0.0014% |
| 2001 | #3,097 | 29 | 0.0015% |
| 2000 | #3,249 | 26 | 0.0013% |
| 1999 | #2,899 | 29 | 0.0015% |
| 1998 | #2,965 | 27 | 0.0014% |
| 1997 | #3,100 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 1996 | #3,603 | 19 | 0.0010% |
| 1995 | #4,145 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1994 | #4,181 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1993 | #3,193 | 21 | 0.0011% |
| 1992 | #3,522 | 18 | 0.0009% |
| 1991 | #4,908 | 11 | 0.0005% |
| 1990 | #4,268 | 13 | 0.0006% |
| 1989 | #3,377 | 17 | 0.0008% |
| 1988 | #3,267 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 1987 | #4,722 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1986 | #2,726 | 19 | 0.0010% |
| 1985 | #3,494 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1984 | #2,571 | 19 | 0.0011% |
| 1983 | #1,842 | 30 | 0.0017% |
| 1982 | #2,547 | 19 | 0.0010% |
| 1981 | #2,445 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 1980 | #3,167 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1979 | #1,848 | 30 | 0.0017% |
| 1978 | #1,892 | 27 | 0.0016% |
| 1977 | #2,971 | 14 | 0.0009% |
| 1976 | #2,550 | 17 | 0.0011% |
| 1975 | #2,981 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1974 | #4,890 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1973 | #4,762 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1971 | #4,149 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1970 | #5,047 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Explore More Lists with Name Japheth
Most Popular Boy Names That Start with J
How the Name Japheth Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are honest, benevolent, brilliant and often inventive, full of high inspirations. You are courageous, honest, determined, original and creative. You are a leader, especially for a cause. Sometimes you do not care to finish what you start, and may leave details to others. You can do well in position of authority, and prospers in intellectual and professional fields. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Japheth's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Japheth's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.