Tzipporah Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: zip-POH-rah /ˈtsɪp.ə.rə/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: bird
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Tzipporah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the word "tsippor," meaning "bird." This etymology reflects a common practice in Hebrew naming conventions, where names often carry meanings related to nature or animals. The name appears in the biblical context, specifically in the Book of Exodus, where Tzipporah is introduced as the wife of Moses, a central figure in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
The Hebrew form "צִפּוֹרָה" (Tzipporah) was later transliterated into Greek and Latin, which contributed to its eventual adoption into English through various biblical translations, including the King James Bible in the early 17th century. Historically, Tzipporah is significant not only as the wife of Moses but also as a figure who plays a crucial role in the narrative of the Exodus.
Her story, which includes her actions in saving Moses' life during a critical moment, highlights her importance in the biblical text. Tzipporah's character has been interpreted in various ways throughout history, often symbolizing strength, loyalty, and the complexities of intercultural marriage, as she was a Midianite woman married to a Hebrew leader.
Culturally, the name Tzipporah resonates within Jewish tradition, where it is sometimes associated with themes of freedom and liberation, reflecting the broader narrative of the Exodus. The name has also been embraced in various forms in Jewish communities, with diminutives such as "Tzipi" being used affectionately.
Tzipporah's enduring presence in religious texts and her symbolic associations contribute to the name's historical significance, marking it as a notable example of how biblical names continue to carry weight in cultural and religious contexts.
Fictional characters named Tzipporah
The following list of fictional characters named Tzipporah is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
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Tzipporah is a fictional character from the biblical narrative in the Book of Exodus. She is the wife of Moses and plays a significant role in his journey and leadership of the Israelites.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Tzipporah, 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 Tzipporah. 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 Tzipporah was first seen in the United States in 1982.
Tzipporah has ranked as high as #1343 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in New York, and New Jersey.
In the past 5 years the name Tzipporah has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Tzipporah 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 Tzipporah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Tzipporah (2024)
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.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NJ | 7 |
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 Tzipporah.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2015 | 18 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2008 | 12 |
| 2007 | 17 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2001 | 14 |
| 2000 | 13 |
| 1999 | 8 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1997 | 5 |
| 1994 | 7 |
| 1991 | 7 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1989 | 6 |
| 1987 | 10 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1982 | 5 |