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Home › Baby Names Directory › Yafet

Yafet

♂ Boy

Pronounced yah-FET /jɑːˈfɛt/Medium

Meaning: The Hebrew name Yefet or Yafet, the biblical Japheth, one of the three sons of Noah. It is usually explained from a root meaning 'to enlarge; expand', giving readings such as 'may he enlarge'; a link to a root meaning 'beauty' has also been proposed. The name is also used in Ethiopian and Eritrean families.Low

In 30 seconds: A name from the very start of the story: Yafet is Japheth, a son of Noah, read 'may he enlarge' (said 'yah-FET').
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Origin MediumHebrew
MeaningThe Hebrew name Yefet or Yafet, the biblical Japheth, one of the three sons of Noah. It is usually explained from a root meaning 'to enlarge; expand', giving readings such as 'may he enlarge'; a link to a root meaning 'beauty' has also been proposed. The name is also used in Ethiopian and Eritrean families.
U.S. rank (2024)#14139 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 429

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619972024

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

Yafet is the Hebrew name of the biblical Japheth, a son of Noah alongside Shem and Ham. In Genesis the name is played on with a verb meaning 'to enlarge', which gives the common reading 'may he enlarge'; some read it instead from a root for 'beauty'. The name is also carried in Ethiopian and Eritrean communities. We note the two readings honestly (said 'yah-FET').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, biblical, and old as scripture.

Did you know? Yafet is the Hebrew name of Japheth, one of Noah's three sons in Genesis — the name is usually tied to a root meaning 'to enlarge', with 'beauty' offered as another reading.
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Yafet — Hebrew Yefet/Japheth (son of Noah); 'enlarge' reading, 'beauty' proposed

Variations

YefetJaphethYaphet

Nicknames

YafFet

Famous Bearers

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If you like Yafet…

Noah— his father in the biblical account
Yosef— a like Hebrew biblical name
Eitan— a like Hebrew boys' pick
Asher— a like warm biblical choice

Explore names like Yafet

By themehebrewbiblicalraretraditional
By meaningBeauty

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Yafet mean?

Yafet is the Hebrew name of Japheth, a son of Noah; it is usually read from a root meaning 'to enlarge', with 'beauty' as another proposed reading.

How do you pronounce Yafet?

It's said yah-FET /jɑːˈfɛt/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Yafet a boy or girl name?

Yafet is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Yafet?

Yafet is a very rare name for boys in the U.S.

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