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Home › Baby Names Directory › Zeph

Zeph

♂ Boy

Pronounced ZEF /ˈzɛf/Medium

Meaning: A short form of Zephaniah, from the Hebrew Tzefanyah, 'the Lord has hidden' or 'the Lord has treasured' (tzafan, 'to hide; to treasure' + Yah, 'God'). Zephaniah is a biblical prophet; the route is Hebrew, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp short Zephaniah: 'the Lord has treasured' (said 'ZEF'). A one-beat biblical pick.
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Origin MediumHebrew
MeaningA short form of Zephaniah, from the Hebrew Tzefanyah, 'the Lord has hidden' or 'the Lord has treasured' (tzafan, 'to hide; to treasure' + Yah, 'God'). Zephaniah is a biblical prophet; the route is Hebrew, which we note.
U.S. rank (2025)#13906 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2001
Total births (all-time)≈ 112

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200119922025

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

Zeph is a short form of Zephaniah, from the Hebrew Tzefanyah, 'the Lord has hidden; the Lord has treasured'. Zephaniah is a minor prophet in the Bible. The clipped Zeph reads as a crisp, modern nickname-name; the route is Hebrew, which we note (said 'ZEF').

It appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, crisp, and biblical.

Did you know? Zeph is a short form of Zephaniah, Hebrew for 'the Lord has hidden' or 'treasured' — the name of a biblical prophet, trimmed to a punchy one beat, which we note (said 'ZEF').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Zeph — Short for Zephaniah 'the Lord has hidden/treasured'; route noted

Variations

ZephaniahZeffSeph

Nicknames

ZephZ

Famous Bearers

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If you like Zeph…

Zephaniah— the full name Zeph shortens
Zephyr— a like Ze- boy's name
Gideon— a like biblical Hebrew pick
Eli— a like short biblical name

Explore names like Zeph

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Zeph mean?

Zeph is short for Zephaniah, Hebrew for 'the Lord has hidden' or 'treasured'; the route is Hebrew, which we note.

How do you pronounce Zeph?

It's said ZEF /ˈzɛf/ — one syllable.

Is Zeph a boy or girl name?

Zeph is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Zeph?

Zeph is a rare name in the U.S.

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