Yafet Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Yafet is a Hebrew name meaning 'to expand' or 'to be open.' It has its roots in biblical history, particularly associated with Japheth, one of Noah's sons. The name has evolved through various forms in different languages. While not commonly used today, it carries a significant cultural and historical background, particularly in Jewish tradition.
The name Yafet is most popular in Maryland, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the South 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, Yafet has been stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Yafet' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5805th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5151st out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Yafet' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Yafet"
Pronunciation
/jɑˈfɛt/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Yafet is derived from the Hebrew name יָפֵת (Yafet), which means 'to expand' or 'to be open.' The name is associated with the biblical figure Japheth, one of the sons of Noah.
Meaning
to expand, to be open
Language Evolution
Yafet (Hebrew), Japheth (Latin), Jafeth (Spanish)
Biblical Background
Yafet is associated with Japheth, who is mentioned in the Book of Genesis as the son of Noah, and is often considered the ancestor of many nations.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in Jewish cultures and communities, especially in the context of biblical references. It has seen varying degrees of use across different languages and cultures over centuries.
Variants & Derivatives
Japheth, Yafit, Yafeth
Modern Popularity & Image
The name Yafet is not widely used in contemporary society but retains a cultural significance in Jewish communities and among those interested in biblical names.
Famous People
Yafet Kotto, an American actor and producer known for his roles in films and television.
Explore More Yafet Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Yafet"
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 "Yafet"
"Yafet" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5805th of 24088 | 210 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 5151st of 23106 | 219 |
Regional Popularity of "Yafet" by Generation for Male 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) |
- | - |
68.67% 5022nd/7313 |
63.81% 4762nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
59.57% 4064th/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Yafet" 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 "Yafet"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Yafet" 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.