The story behind Japheth
From Middle English Jafeth (as attested in Wycliffe's Bible), from Old English Iafeth (see e.g. Aelfric of Eynsham) and Middle French Japhet, both from Late Latin Iaphet, Iafeth, from Koine Greek Ἰάφεθ (Iápheth), from Hebrew יֶפֶת (yépheth). Further origin uncertain; folk etymology as well as rabbinical and patristic claims usually point to a meaning like "enlarged", in reference to Genesis 9:27, or "fair" (pale, in reference to complexion).
Pronunciation
UK, US: /ˈd͡ʒeɪfɛθ/
Regional pronunciation variants
- UK, US: /ˈd͡ʒeɪfɪθ/
- UK, US: /ˈd͡ʒeɪfɛð/
- General-South-African, colloquial: /ˈdʒɛ̯ɪfɪf/
- English, Quebec: /(d)ʒeɪ̯ˈfɛt/
Popularity
Japheth ranked #3405 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Japheth
Jonah
From the Hebrew יוֹנָה (yônâh, “dove”). Doublet of Jonas.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Joseph
From Middle English Ioseph, ultimately from Biblical Hebrew יוֹסֵף (Yoséf, literally “(God) shall add”); a son of Jacob. Doublet of Yusuf. Noun sense 1 (“one whose chastity is…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Josiah
From Biblical Hebrew יֹאשִׁיָּה (yōšiyyā), יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ (yōšiyyā́hū).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Judah
Borrowed from Biblical Hebrew יְהוּדָה (yehudá). Doublet of Judas and Yehuda.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Judith
Ultimately from Hebrew יְהוּדִית (Y'hudít, “woman from Judea, Jewess”). Doublet of Yehudit. From Hebrew יְהוּדִית (Y'hudít, “woman from Judea, Jewess”). From Latin Judith,…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ádhamh
From Old Irish Ádam, from Latin Ādām, Ādāmus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ, Ἄδαμος (Adám, Ádamos), from Biblical Hebrew אָדָם (ʾāḏām, “person, human”), from אֲדָמָה (ʾăḏāmâ, “earth,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Japheth
Abdia
Borrowed from Biblical Hebrew עוֹבַדְיָה (ovadya).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abednego
From Hebrew עֲבֵד נְגוֹא, itself derived from a reconstructed Aramaic name meaning likely "servant of Nabu" or "servant of Nergal".
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abramo
Learned borrowing from Late Latin Ābrahām, borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἀβρᾱᾱ́μ (Abrāā́m), borrowed from Biblical Hebrew אַבְרָהָם (ʔaḇrɔhɔm).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Japheth
Aarão
From Latin Aarōn, from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן ('aharón). Doublet of Faro.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aarón
a male given name from Latin [in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English Aaron
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length