Japheth
Boy name · #3411 in 2025 · Very rare
How old is the name Japheth? In official American birth records, Japheth has been tracked continuously since 1970, giving it 55 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 34 baby boys were named Japheth, placing it at #3411 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #2766, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 52,941 boys born in 2025 was named Japheth.
Babies named Japheth per year. Source: Official national birth records.
The 55-year story
Japheth first appears in the Social Security records in 1970, when 5 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2007, when 51 boys were named Japheth — good for #2473 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Japheth against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Japheth in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Japheth is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "very rare". A high score means genuine rarity — your Japheth will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Japheth is most common
State-level data for Japheth is too sparse in 2025 to rank by rate — in most states its count falls below the SSA's per-state reporting threshold (counts under 5 are withheld).
Names like Japheth
Statistically, parents drawn to Japheth tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Gareth, Nazareth, Jareth, Joachim, and Jerimiah.
GarethNazarethJarethJoachimJerimiahJohndavidBoruchZakariah
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Japheth | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 34 | #3379 |
| 2024 | 37 | #3216 |
| 2023 | 33 | #3474 |
| 2022 | 34 | #3412 |
| 2021 | 26 | #4011 |
| 2020 | 42 | #2846 |
| 2019 | 34 | #3347 |
| 2018 | 40 | #2943 |
| 2017 | 35 | #3249 |
| 2016 | 39 | #2993 |
| 2015 | 43 | #2766 |
| 2014 | 43 | #2754 |
| 2013 | 37 | #2998 |
| 2012 | 27 | #3807 |
| 2011 | 35 | #3164 |
| 2010 | 28 | #3708 |
| 2009 | 40 | #2946 |
| 2008 | 21 | #4540 |
| 2007 | 51 | #2473 |
| 2006 | 39 | #2881 |
| 2005 | 33 | #3091 |
| 2004 | 27 | #3456 |
| 2003 | 33 | #2922 |
| 2002 | 28 | #3188 |
| 2001 | 29 | #3061 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Japheth?
In official American birth records, the name Japheth first appeared in 1970 (over 55 years ago), when 5 newborn boys received the name. It has been tracked in modern national records for 55 years.
Is Japheth a popular boy name?
Japheth ranked #3411 among boys in 2025 with 34 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #2766.
When was the name Japheth most popular?
Japheth peaked in 2007, when 51 American boys received the name (ranked #2473 that year). Since 2007 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Japheth?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 52,941 newborn American boys was named Japheth. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "very rare".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.