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Cephus

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Cephus

Pronounced SEE-fuhs /ˈsi.fəs/Medium

Meaning: Cephus is a variant spelling of Cephas, from Aramaic 'Kepha', 'rock' - the name Jesus gave to Simon, better known as Peter. It appears as a rare given name in American records, especially in the South, carried by families drawing on the New Testament.Medium

In 30 seconds: Cephus is a spelling of the biblical Cephas, Aramaic for 'rock' and the name Jesus gave Peter. It saw faint use around 1922 (said 'SEE-fuhs').

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Origin MediumAramaic

MeaningCephus is a variant spelling of Cephas, from Aramaic 'Kepha', 'rock' - the name Jesus gave to Simon, better known as Peter. It appears as a rare given name in American records, especially in the South, carried by families drawing on the New Testament.

U.S. rank (2007)#12674 ↘ Falling

2007 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1922

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,009

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Cephus is a variant of Cephas, Aramaic Kepha, 'rock', the name given by Jesus to the apostle Simon Peter. As a first name it was carried mainly by Southern families drawing on scripture.

It was always scarce - only a few dozen boys a year around its 1922 high point - and it dwindled over the century. It reads as a devout, distinctly biblical choice.

Did you know? In the Gospels, Cephas and Peter mean the same thing - 'rock' - one in Aramaic, the other in Greek, for the same apostle.

Overall data confidence 60%

References - Cephus / Cephas — Aramaic Kepha 'rock'; apostle Peter

Variations

CephasSephusSephas

Nicknames

CepheCy

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If you like Cephus…

Cephas— the standard biblical spelling behind Cephus

Peter— the Greek 'rock' name for the same apostle

Silas— another New Testament boys' name of the era

Rufus— a same-period biblical-Latin name

Explore names like Cephus

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cephus mean?

Cephus is a form of Cephas, Aramaic for 'rock', the name Jesus gave the apostle Peter.

How do you pronounce Cephus?

It's said SEE-fuhs /ˈsi.fəs/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cephus a boy or girl name?

Cephus is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Cephus?

Cephus has always been rare, a biblical name used mainly by devout Southern families.