Zephaniah is a unique and distinctive male given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "Tzaphaniah," which means "Yahweh has hidden" or "Yahweh has concealed." The name is believed to have been first used in the biblical Book of Zephaniah, one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament. In this book, Zephaniah is identified as a prophet who lived during the reign of King Josiah in Judah (around 640-610 BCE). He was known for his prophecies of impending doom and judgment upon Jerusalem and its people due to their idolatry and other sins. Despite its somber biblical context, the name Zephaniah has been chosen by many parents throughout history as it carries a sense of mystery and uniqueness. It is also associated with wisdom and spiritual insight due to its connection to the prophet Zephaniah. Today, Zephaniah remains an uncommon yet captivating choice for parents seeking a distinctive name for their child with deep historical and cultural roots.
Zephaniah is an uncommon yet distinctive name that has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. Between 1972 and 2023, there have been a total of 3,109 babies born with the name Zephaniah.
The name first appeared on the Social Security Administration's list of popular baby names in 1976, with eight births that year. It remained relatively rare throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, with fewer than ten births each year between 1972 and 1985.
However, beginning in the mid-1980s, there was a notable increase in the number of babies named Zephaniah. In 1987, there were 15 births, marking the first time more than ten babies had been given the name in a single year. This trend continued into the 1990s, with the number of annual births reaching double digits each year between 1992 and 2003.
The year 2004 saw an even more significant jump in popularity for the name Zephaniah, with 75 babies being given the name. This was followed by a steady increase over the next decade, culminating in a peak of 170 births in 2019.
Interestingly, despite its recent surge in popularity, Zephaniah remains relatively uncommon compared to other names. In 2021, for example, it ranked as the 863rd most popular name for boys, according to the Social Security Administration's data.
Overall, these statistics show that while Zephaniah may not be a mainstream name, its popularity has been steadily growing over time, particularly since the mid-1980s. It will be interesting to see whether this trend continues in future years and whether the name becomes even more widely used among parents looking for distinctive yet meaningful names for their children.