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Cleophas

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Cleophas

Pronounced KLEE-uh-fuhs /ˈkliː.ə.fəs/Medium

Meaning: Cleophas is a form of Cleopas, a Greek name understood as a short form of Cleopatros, 'glory of the father', from kleos, 'glory', and pater, 'father'. It appears in the Gospels as the name of a disciple, giving it lasting religious resonance.Medium

In 30 seconds: Cleophas is a biblical Greek name meaning 'glory of the father', borne by a disciple in the Gospels. It was a devout, rare boys' name of the early twentieth century.

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Origin MediumGreek

MeaningCleophas is a form of Cleopas, a Greek name understood as a short form of Cleopatros, 'glory of the father', from kleos, 'glory', and pater, 'father'. It appears in the Gospels as the name of a disciple, giving it lasting religious resonance.

U.S. rank (1987)#7144 ↘ Falling

1987 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1923

Total births (all-time)≈ 960

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

Cleophas is a form of the New Testament name Cleopas, from Greek elements meaning 'glory of the father'. Its scriptural roots made it a reverent choice among devout families, and it reached American records as a dignified, distinctly old-world boys' name.

Never common, it appeared at a few dozen boys a year and peaked faintly around 1923 before fading by the late twentieth century. Cleophas reads as a solemn biblical antique; while some Bible names have revived, this one remains rare and firmly of its era.

Did you know? In the Gospel of Luke, Cleopas is one of two disciples who meet the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus - a story that carried the name into Christian families for centuries.

Overall data confidence 70%

References - Cleophas / Cleopas — Greek 'glory of the father'; New Testament name

Variations

CleopasCleofasKleophasCleophus

Nicknames

CleoCleff

Famous Bearers

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If you like Cleophas…

Cleo— the natural short form

Silas— another Greek-rooted biblical boys' name

Amos— a comparable devout Old-Testament name of the era

Cletus— shares the -us classical-biblical ending

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cleophas mean?

Cleophas is a biblical Greek name, a form of Cleopas, meaning 'glory of the father'.

How do you pronounce Cleophas?

It's said KLEE-uh-fuhs /ˈkliː.ə.fəs/ - three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cleophas a boy or girl name?

Cleophas is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Cleophas?

Cleophas has always been rare, a devout biblical name most common in the early twentieth century.