Nephi

♂ Boy

Pronounced NEE-fy /ˈniː.faɪ/Medium

Meaning: A prophet-figure in the Book of Mormon, borne widely in Latter-day Saint families. The meaning is uncertain, sometimes linked to an Egyptian or Hebrew root read as 'good; fair.' Routes uncertain.Low

In 30 seconds: A Book of Mormon name: Nephi honors a prophet-figure (said 'NEE-fy'). Meaning uncertain, which we note.

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Origin LowLatter-day Saint, Hebrew

MeaningA prophet-figure in the Book of Mormon, borne widely in Latter-day Saint families. The meaning is uncertain, sometimes linked to an Egyptian or Hebrew root read as 'good; fair.' Routes uncertain.

U.S. rank (2025)#10372 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2007

Total births (all-time)≈ 730

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

Nephi is a Book of Mormon figure and a traditional Latter-day Saint name. Its meaning is uncertain — sometimes linked to a root read 'good; fair' — which we note. Rare in the U.S. overall (said 'NEE-fy').

In the U.S. it appears rarely, mostly in LDS families and place names in Utah. Rare, scriptural, and distinctive.

Did you know? Nephi is a prophet in the Book of Mormon, cherished in Latter-day Saint families — its meaning uncertain, sometimes read as 'good; fair,' which we note (said 'NEE-fy').

Overall data confidence 38%

References — Nephi — Book of Mormon figure; meaning uncertain

Variations

NephyNefiNephie

Nicknames

NephNef

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nephi mean?

Nephi is a Book of Mormon prophet-figure; its meaning is uncertain, sometimes read as 'good; fair,' which we note.

How do you pronounce Nephi?

It's said NEE-fy /ˈniː.faɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nephi a boy or girl name?

Nephi is a boy's name.

How popular is Nephi?

Nephi is a rare name in the U.S., more familiar in LDS communities.