Jephthah Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: JEFF-thah /ˈdʒɛf.θə/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: He opens
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Jephthah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the name יפתח (Yiftach), which means "he opens" or "he will open." This etymology reflects a linguistic lineage that traces back to ancient Semitic languages. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Judges, where Jephthah is a prominent figure known for his role as a judge and military leader of Israel during the period of the Judges, approximately in the 11th century BCE.
The narrative surrounding Jephthah includes his vow to God, which ultimately leads to a tragic outcome involving his daughter, making the name significant in biblical and moral discussions. Jephthah's story is notably included in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and later in the Latin Vulgate, which helped to disseminate the name through Christian contexts.
The name is also referenced in the King James Bible, published in the early 17th century, which further solidified its presence in English-speaking cultures. Throughout history, Jephthah has been recognized not only as a judge but also as a symbol of faith and the complexities of human vows, resonating through various theological discussions and interpretations.
Culturally, Jephthah's narrative has inspired various artistic and literary works, contributing to its endurance in religious and moral discourse. The name is sometimes associated with themes of sacrifice and redemption, reflecting the broader human experiences of conflict and resolution.
In some contexts, diminutive forms or variations of the name may appear, but Jephthah remains the most historically significant form. Overall, the name carries a weight of historical and cultural significance, rooted deeply in biblical tradition.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Jephthah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Jephthah. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Jephthah was first seen in the United States in 2015.
Jephthah has ranked as high as #1417 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Jephthah has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Jephthah is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Jephthah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Jephthah
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Jephthah.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2015 | 6 |