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Home › Baby Names Directory › Alpheus

Alpheus

♂ Boy

Pronounced al-FEE-us /ælˈfi.əs/Medium

Meaning: Variously the Greek Alpheios (a river and river-god of Arcadia) and the Hebrew-derived biblical Alphaeus, 'a successor; changing' (the father of the apostle James); routes layered; we note the biblical linkLow

In 30 seconds: A river god; a successor: Alpheus is Greek/biblical. Lyrical, classic, and warm (said 'al-FEE-us'). Routes layered.
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Origin LowGreek, Hebrew
MeaningVariously the Greek Alpheios (a river and river-god of Arcadia) and the Hebrew-derived biblical Alphaeus, 'a successor; changing' (the father of the apostle James); routes layered; we note the biblical link
U.S. rank (2024)#9916 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1917
Total births (all-time)≈ 770

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191718802024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Alpheus comes variously from the Greek Alpheios (a river and river-god of Arcadia) and the Hebrew-derived biblical Alphaeus, 'a successor; changing' (the father of the apostle James; routes layered, which we note the biblical link). A lyrical, classic name (said 'al-FEE-us').

In the U.S. it appears in Christian families. Rare, a-river-god at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Alpheus is variously the Greek river-god Alpheios and the biblical Alphaeus ('a successor', the father of the apostle James) — a lyrical, storied name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'al-FEE-us').
Overall data confidence 30%
References — Alpheus — Greek/biblical; routes layered

Variations

AlphaeusAlfeus

Nicknames

Alph

Famous Bearers

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If you like Alpheus…

Cornelius— a fellow -eus classical boys' name
Matthias— a companion biblical boys' name
Atticus— shares Alpheus's Greek roots
Atreus— another mythology pick
Perseus— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Alpheus

By themeuncertainhebrewgreekbiblicalmythology

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Alpheus mean?

Alpheus is variously the Greek river-god Alpheios and the biblical Alphaeus ('a successor'; the father of the apostle James). The routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Alpheus?

It's said al-FEE-us /ælˈfi.əs/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Alpheus a boy or girl name?

Alpheus is a boy's name.

How popular is Alpheus?

Alpheus is a very rare name in the U.S.

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