Neftali
Primarily a boy's name of Hebrew origin with 2,243 recorded births. Also given to 380 girls.
Meaning & Origin
When Neftali hit its peak of 70 births in 2003, the internet was beginning to expose parents to a wider world of naming options, and pop culture influence on baby names was at an all-time high.
Neftali has stayed in use since then, even as naming fashions have shifted around it.
In the most recent SSA release, Neftali ranks #4275 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Neftali is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, the Spanish and Portuguese form of Naphtali, meaning 'my struggle' or 'wrestling' — from the Hebrew root naphtal (to wrestle, to struggle). In Genesis, Naphtali was the sixth son of Jacob and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Neftali is widely used in Latin America and among Latino communities in the U.S., carrying biblical depth with a distinctly Spanish-language sound. The name is forever associated with Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, whose birth name was Ricardo Eliécer Neftali Reyes Basoalto — a name that carries in it the wrestling spirit of great poetry.
EtymologyShow more
Neftali is built from 7 letters and three syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Hebrew naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Neftali creates its characteristic open, approachable quality. Multi-syllable names often carry remnants of compound constructions — two or more meaningful elements fused together — even when the original components are no longer transparent to modern speakers.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Neftali was #2229 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #4275, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 173 | #3527 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 406 | #2942 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 584 | #2097 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 415 | #2104 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 281 | #2088 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 225 | #2082 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 118 | #2638 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 41 | #3242 | — |
The Story of Neftali
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2003, Neftali is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Neftali are most likely born between 1993 and 2013.
How rare is Neftali?
Only about 1 in every 144,000 babies born in 2024 was named Neftali — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1953, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 584 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Neftali by the numbers
- Would fill 47 school buses
- Meeting one Neftali per day would take 6.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(70 years, 1953–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25 | #4275 |
| 2023 | 42 | #2983 |
| 2022 | 44 | #2897 |
| 2021 | 39 | #3103 |
| 2020 | 23 | #4376 |
| 2019 | 42 | #2924 |
| 2018 | 36 | #3215 |
| 2017 | 38 | #3105 |
| 2016 | 50 | #2540 |
| 2015 | 39 | #3009 |
| 2014 | 42 | #2835 |
| 2013 | 39 | #2935 |
| 2012 | 42 | #2855 |
| 2011 | 42 | #2836 |
| 2010 | 36 | #3162 |
| 2009 | 64 | #2136 |
| 2008 | 62 | #2175 |
| 2007 | 60 | #2228 |
| 2006 | 52 | #2390 |
| 2005 | 54 | #2228 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Neftali as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Neftali has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 380 births since 1986.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Neftali a boy's or girl's name?
When was Neftali most popular?
How popular is the name Neftali?
Can Neftali be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1953–2024