The first name Japheth
A boy’s name from Hebrew meaning “enlarged”, “fair”.
Pronounced /ˈd͡ʒeɪfɛθ/ 2 syllables Male
Meaning and origin
Hebrew origin
Japheth means “enlarged”, “fair” in Hebrew.
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).
More names that mean white.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 5 boys were named Japheth, making it the 3,684th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2007, with 7 births (#2,435).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Japheth with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Japheth at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 34 boys born in the United States were named Japheth, the 3,405th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2007, when 51 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Nicknames and spellings
Other spellings and forms
- Jafeth
- Japhet
- Iapheth
- Iapetus
- Japetus
Famous people named Japheth
1 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Joel PerezAmerican actor, born 1986
More Hebrew boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Japheth mean?
- Japheth means “enlarged”, “fair” in Hebrew.
- What is the origin of the name 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…
- How popular is the name Japheth?
- In 2025, 5 boys born in England and Wales were named Japheth, ranking 3,684th. Its peak was 2007, with 7 births.
- Is Japheth a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 1,387 US babies named Japheth since 1880 were boys.
- When was Japheth most popular?
- 2007 in the United States, when 51 babies were named Japheth, its highest rank at 2,488th.
- How do you pronounce Japheth?
- Japheth is /ˈd͡ʒeɪfɛθ/, 2 syllables.
- What are other spellings of Japheth?
- Jafeth, Japhet, Iapheth, Iapetus and Japetus.