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Home › Baby Names Directory › Neftali

Neftali

♀ Girl

Pronounced nef-tah-LEE /ˌnɛf.tɑˈli/Medium

Meaning: The Spanish form (Neftali) of the Hebrew Naphtali, 'my struggle; wrestling' — a son of Jacob and one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Used here for a girl though it is more often a boy's name, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A biblical name: Neftali is the Spanish form of Naphtali, a son of Jacob (said 'nef-tah-LEE'). More often a boy's name — we note the lean.
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Origin MediumHebrew, Spanish
MeaningThe Spanish form (Neftali) of the Hebrew Naphtali, 'my struggle; wrestling' — a son of Jacob and one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Used here for a girl though it is more often a boy's name, which we note.
U.S. rank (2014)#18464 ↘ Falling
2014 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1997
Total births (all-time)≈ 380

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199719862014

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

Neftali carries the Hebrew Naphtali into Spanish tradition — the name of a son of Jacob and an Israelite tribe, tied to a root meaning 'my struggle; wrestling.' As a girl's name it is rare; it is more often a boy's name, which we note (said 'nef-tah-LEE').

For girls it appears very rarely in the U.S., against heavier boys' use. Rare, biblical, and heritage-rich.

Did you know? Neftali is the Spanish form of Naphtali, a son of Jacob and one of Israel's twelve tribes, from a Hebrew root for 'wrestling; my struggle' — used here for a girl, though it leans to boys, which we note (said 'nef-tah-LEE').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Neftali — Spanish form of Naphtali; biblical; boy-leaning

Variations

NaphtaliNeftaliaNeftaly

Nicknames

NefiTali

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Neftali…

Naomi— a like biblical girl's name
Dalia— a like Hebrew-rooted pick
Eliana— a like faith-rooted name
Mireya— a like Spanish-heritage choice

Explore names like Neftali

By themehebrewspanishbiblicalunisex-lean-boy

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Neftali mean?

Neftali is the Spanish form of Naphtali, 'my struggle; wrestling' — a son of Jacob and an Israelite tribe.

How do you pronounce Neftali?

It's said nef-tah-LEE /ˌnɛf.tɑˈli/ — three syllables, stress on the last.

Is Neftali a boy or girl name?

Neftali is used for both, but more often for boys — we note the lean.

How popular is Neftali?

Neftali is extremely rare for girls in the U.S. and more common for boys.

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