Origin, Meaning, And History Of Japheth
Japheth is a boy’s name. It may be derived from an Aramaic root that means ‘to extend,’ suggesting that the name means ‘may He extend.’ Alternatively, it may be derived from a Hebrew root of ‘beauty,’ indicating that the name means ‘beautiful.’
In the Old Testament, Japheth is one of Noah’s three sons, along with Shem and Ham. According to some interpretations, the three sons’ names symbolize different aspects of human mentality.
Ham is often associated with a primitive sense of self-awareness that is tied to personal gain and self-preservation. In contrast, Shem represents a more evolved worldview wholly divorced from self-preservation and personal gain and solely concentrates on the proper functioning of the whole of creation.
Japheth, meanwhile, is considered to occupy a middle ground between these two extremes. He represents the personal and national perspectives of individuals and nations engaged in developing a ‘theory of mind.’
Japheth is not only used as a given name but also as a surname, and it has Jewish and African origins. The surname is derived from the Biblical personal name Japhet, a variant of Japheth. Other surnames that are similar to Japheth include Papes, Appelt, Rachel, Janet, Happel, Jaquet, Piet, Japp, and Hache.
The common variations of the name Japheth based on different languages and cultures include Iapheth(Biblical Greek), Iafeth(Biblical Latin), Yefet(Biblical Hebrew), and Jafet(Spanish).
Japhy, Japhet, Japi, Eth, Japh, Heth, and Jaff are the popular nicknames for Japheth.
Japheth plays an important role in two different works of fiction. He is a significant character in the musicalChildren of Edenby Stephen Schwartz, appearing prominently in the second act. Additionally, Japheth is a major character in the Madeleine L’Engle novelMany Waters.
How To Pronounce Japheth?
Famous People With The Name Japheth
- Japheth Kimutai肯尼亚中距离跑,黄金medalist in the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games 1998
- Japhet Kipyegon KorirKenyan long-distance runner, a gold medallist in the 2013 IAAF World Cross Country Championships
- Levi ben Japheth圣经派信徒和最初的作者——犹太学者Ni’ma
- Israel Meyer JaphetGerman cantor, grammarian, and choir director at the Realschule (Adass Jeschurun) in Frankfurt am Main
- Gilad JaphetIsraeli entrepreneur, genealogist, and founder of MyHeritage, a high-tech company
Japheth On The Popularity Chart
Check the popularity and ranking of the name from the graphical representations below.
Popularity Over Time
After some dramatic oscillations between high and low, the name’s popularity has declined in recent years.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The ranking has declined since 1983. However, it has improved slightly in recent years.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Japheth
If you like how Japheth sounds, you might like these names that sound similar.
Popular Sibling Names For Japheth
Other Popular Names Beginning With J
Names With Similar Meaning As Japheth
Check out this list of names with similar meanings if the meaning of the name Japheth resonated with you but you’d like to consider other possibilities:
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
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Name Numerology For Japheth
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Japheth?
The name Japheth means may he extend, and beautiful.
2. What is the origin of the name Japheth?
Japheth has a Hebrew origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Japheth?
Japheth is pronounced as jah-feth.
