The first name Naphtali
A unisex name from Hebrew meaning “to compete with”.
Pronounced /ˈnæf.təˌlaɪ/ 3 syllables Unisex
Meaning and origin
Hebrew origin
Naphtali means “to compete with” in Hebrew.
From Biblical Hebrew נַפְתָּלִי (naftalí), a son of Jacob. Compare Arabic نافس (“to compete with”).
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
Naphtali last appeared in the official list in 2019, given to 3 boys. It peaked in 2008, with 4 births (#3,687).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Naphtali with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Naphtali at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 6 boys born in the United States were named Naphtali, the 11,588th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2023, when 15 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.
Naphtali in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
More Hebrew unisex names
Questions
- What does the name Naphtali mean?
- Naphtali means “to compete with” in Hebrew.
- What is the origin of the name Naphtali?
- From Biblical Hebrew נַפְתָּלִי (naftalí), a son of Jacob. Compare Arabic نافس (“to compete with”).
- How popular is the name Naphtali?
- In 2019, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Naphtali, ranking 4,702nd. Its peak was 2008, with 4 births.
- Is Naphtali a boy's or a girl's name?
- Both. Of the 354 US babies named Naphtali since 1880, 23% were girls and 77% boys.
- When was Naphtali most popular?
- 2023 in the United States, when 15 babies were named Naphtali, its highest rank at 6,132nd.
- How do you pronounce Naphtali?
- Naphtali is /ˈnæf.təˌlaɪ/, 3 syllables.