Alpheus Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Alpheus is a name of Greek origin, derived from the mythological river and river god, symbolizing the flow of water. It has evolved through ancient Greek and Latin to modern English. The name is connected to biblical narratives, particularly as the father of one of Jesus's apostles. It is not commonly used today, which gives it a unique and historic charm.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Alpheus"
Pronunciation
/ˈælfiəs/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Alpheus is derived from the Greek word 'Alpheios', which refers to a river in the Peloponnese, as well as being associated with a mythological river god.
Meaning
The name is often associated with the meaning 'the one who is of the river Alpheus'.
Language Evolution
Alpheus (Ancient Greek), Alpheos (Late Latin), Alpheus (Modern English)
Biblical Background
Alpheus appears in the New Testament as the father of James the Less, one of the apostles.
Historical Usage
The name Alpheus has been used since ancient times, but gained popularity among early Christians due to its biblical reference.
Variants & Derivatives
Alfie, Alf, Alfons
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Alpheus is considered quite rare and carries a classic and somewhat antiquated image.
Famous People
Alpheus Hyatt Verrill, an American naturalist and author, Alpheus Felch, a 19th-century American politician
📊 Alpheus Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Alpheus Name Visualizations
✨ Alpheus Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 29 peak births in 1917
Geographic Spread
Popular across 2 US states, with strongest presence in Virginia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Alpheus"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Alpheus"
"Alpheus" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1658th of 7545 | 333 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2434th of 6773 | 178 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3278th of 7552 | 119 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6318th of 10718 | 37 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 14347th of 16616 | 10 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 16607th of 23106 | 20 |
Regional Popularity of "Alpheus" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
81.94% 1130th/1379 |
96.75% 2289th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Alpheus" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Alpheus"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Alpheus" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Alpheus" in the United States
The name Alpheus is most popular in Virginia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Alpheus has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Alpheus' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1658th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2434th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3278th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6318th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 14347th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 16607th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Alpheus' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.