Zepha
A girl's name of Hebrew origin with 50 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
If you're considering Zepha, you're looking at a name that fewer than 50 families have ever chosen in the U.S. That kind of rarity is intentional — it signals that the name was chosen for its sound, its personal meaning, or a family connection rather than a trend.
The open, warm ending gives Zepha a crisp, modern feel that pairs easily with most surnames.
Zepha is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Zepha is a girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a short form of Zephyrine or connected to the Hebrew Tzephanyah (Zephaniah), meaning 'God has hidden' or 'treasured by God.'
Zephaniah is one of the twelve minor prophets of the Hebrew Bible. As the short form Zepha, this ancient prophetic name becomes light and airy — carried effortlessly, like the west wind whose name (Zephyr) it echoes, suggesting both divine protection and breezy grace.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Zepha is a girl's name with several decades of recorded use (1889–1939). Its Hebrew roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 50 total births, Zepha exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Zepha has 9+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1889.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 10 | #4901 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 6 | #5097 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 22 | #5034 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 7 | #1210 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 5 | #1476 | — |
The Story of Zepha
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1891, Zepha is a name steeped in history. Girls named Zepha are most likely born between 1889 and 1901.
How rare is Zepha?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Zepha is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1889, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1910s with 22 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Zepha by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(9 years, 1889–1939)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1939 | 5 | #4947 |
| 1936 | 5 | #4855 |
| 1921 | 6 | #5097 |
| 1919 | 5 | #5556 |
| 1918 | 5 | #5580 |
| 1917 | 6 | #4588 |
| 1916 | 6 | #4412 |
| 1891 | 7 | #1210 |
| 1889 | 5 | #1476 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zepha a boy's or girl's name?
When was Zepha most popular?
How popular is the name Zepha?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1889–1939