The first name Seth
A boy’s name from Hebrew meaning “chosen one”, “appointed”, “placed”.
Pronounced /sɛθ/ 1 syllable Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Hebrew origin
Seth means “chosen one”, “appointed”, “placed” in Hebrew.
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Σήθ (Sḗth), from Biblical Hebrew שֵׁת (Šet, literally “chosen one, appointed, placed”).
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 156 boys were named Seth, making it the 294th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2015, with 703 births (#93).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Seth with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Seth at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 505 boys born in the United States were named Seth, the 581st most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2000, when 6,717 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.
Seth in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Spelled Seth in Swedish too.
Nicknames and spellings
Other spellings and forms
- Set
- Sutekh
Famous people named Seth
55 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Seth MacFarlaneAmerican writer, actor, and producer (born 1973)
- Seth RogenCanadian actor, comedian, and filmmaker (born 1982)
- Seth GreenAmerican actor, born 1974
- Seth RollinsAmerican professional wrestler and actor, born 1986
- Seth MeyersAmerican comedian, television host and actor, born 1973
- Seth GodinAmerican entrepreneur, author and public speaker (b. 1960)
- Seth Barnes NicholsonAmerican astronomer (1891–1963)
- Seth GilliamAmerican actor, born 1968
- Seth GabelAmerican actor, born 1981
- Seth WescottAmerican snowboarder, born 1976
- Seth CurryAmerican basketball player (born 1990)
- Seth Carlo ChandlerAmerican astronomer (1846–1913)
More Hebrew boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Seth mean?
- Seth means “chosen one”, “appointed”, “placed” in Hebrew.
- What is the origin of the name Seth?
- Borrowed from Ancient Greek Σήθ (Sḗth), from Biblical Hebrew שֵׁת (Šet, literally “chosen one, appointed, placed”).
- How popular is the name Seth?
- In 2025, 156 boys born in England and Wales were named Seth, ranking 294th. Its peak was 2015, with 703 births.
- Is Seth a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 166,288 US babies named Seth since 1880 were boys.
- When was Seth most popular?
- 2000 in the United States, when 6,717 babies were named Seth, its highest rank at 63rd.
- How do you pronounce Seth?
- Seth is /sɛθ/, one syllable.
- What are other spellings of Seth?
- Set and Sutekh.
- Is Seth also a surname?
- Yes. Seth is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.