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Home › Baby Names Directory › Naphtali

Naphtali

♂ Boy

Pronounced NAF-tuh-lie /ˈnæf.tə.laɪ/Medium

Meaning: From the Hebrew Naftali, 'my struggle; my wrestling' — a son of Jacob and one of the twelve tribes of Israel. A biblical heritage name.Medium

In 30 seconds: A biblical heritage name: Naphtali means 'my struggle; my wrestling' (said 'NAF-tuh-lie') — a son of Jacob.
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Origin MediumHebrew
MeaningFrom the Hebrew Naftali, 'my struggle; my wrestling' — a son of Jacob and one of the twelve tribes of Israel. A biblical heritage name.
U.S. rank (2025)#11588 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 271

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202319752025

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

Naphtali is Hebrew for 'my struggle; my wrestling,' the name of a son of Jacob and Rachel's handmaid Bilhah, and a tribe of Israel. A weighty biblical name, rare in the U.S. (said 'NAF-tuh-lie').

It appears rarely in the U.S., most often in observant Jewish families. Rare, biblical, and rooted.

Did you know? Naphtali was the sixth son of Jacob and founder of one of Israel's twelve tribes; the name means 'my struggle' in Hebrew (said 'NAF-tuh-lie').
Overall data confidence 58%
References — Naphtali — Hebrew 'my struggle'; son of Jacob, tribe of Israel

Variations

NaftaliNephtaliNaftoli

Nicknames

NafTali

Famous Bearers

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If you like Naphtali…

Naftali— a spelling twin of the same Hebrew name
Nathaniel— a like Hebrew biblical boy's name
Gideon— a like weighty Old Testament pick
Asher— a fellow son of Jacob and tribe name

Explore names like Naphtali

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Naphtali mean?

Naphtali is Hebrew for 'my struggle; my wrestling' — a son of Jacob and one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

How do you pronounce Naphtali?

It's said NAF-tuh-lie /ˈnæf.tə.laɪ/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Naphtali a boy or girl name?

Naphtali is a boy's name.

How popular is Naphtali?

Naphtali is a rare name in the U.S., seen mainly in observant Jewish families.

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