Jephthah
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 17 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Jephthah peaked during the Gen Alpha era, when 6 babies received this name in a single year (2015). That era was defined by creative, boundary-pushing naming, and Jephthah has a more concentrated history, reflecting a specific cultural moment rather than a broad generational wave.
Jephthah is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Jephthah is a biblical Hebrew masculine name meaning God opens or he opens, from the Hebrew root patach (to open). In the Book of Judges, Jephthah was a military leader who made a tragic vow to God before battle — a morally complex biblical figure whose story raises deep questions about faith and consequences.
Jephthah is one of the rarest of biblical given names, carrying the full weight of a rich and troubling scripture narrative. For parents committed to using authentic, rarely-chosen biblical names, Jephthah offers genuine scriptural depth — a name almost no one else will bear, with a story worth exploring.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Jephthah belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, warm ending — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Hebrew naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Hebrew names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Jephthah’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Jephthah has 3+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2015.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 17 | — |
The Story of Jephthah
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2015, Jephthah is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Jephthah are most likely born between 2015 and 2018.
How rare is Jephthah?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Jephthah is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2015, peaked in the 2010s with 17 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(3 years, 2015–2018)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | #13040 |
| 2016 | 6 | #11336 |
| 2015 | 6 | #11309 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jephthah a boy's or girl's name?
When was Jephthah most popular?
How popular is the name Jephthah?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2015–2018