The name Cephas is a Latinized form of the Aramaic word "Kefa" which means "stone" or "rock." In the New Testament of the Bible, it is the Greek translation of this name and is used for Simon Peter, one of Jesus' twelve apostles. The name has been traditionally interpreted as meaning "Peter" was a rock upon which the church would be built (Matthew 16:18). Its Hebrew equivalent is Kepha.
The meaning, etymology, and origin of the name Cephas
The name Cephas, also known as Peter in Greek, is of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Aramaic word "Kepa" or "Kefa", which means "rock" in English. In the New Testament of the Bible, Cephas is the original Aramaic name of Saint Peter, one of Jesus' twelve apostles, who was given this name by Jesus himself (John 1:42). The name became popularized as Peter in Greek and Petrus in Latin. The name Cephas signifies strength and steadfastness, symbolizing Saint Peter's strong faith and unwavering devotion to Jesus.
Character traits associated with the name Cephas
Cephas, a biblical name symbolizing Peter in Greek, is traditionally linked with characteristics that reflect leadership, loyalty, and strong faith. The name's bearer may exhibit traits such as courage, as demonstrated by Peter's boldness in speaking out against the religious authorities during his time. Loyalty is also a key characteristic, mirroring Peter's unwavering commitment to Jesus throughout His ministry. Additionally, Cephas individuals may show resilience and perseverance, emulating Peter's ability to overcome adversity despite facing trials such as denying Jesus and his eventual martyrdom. Lastly, they might display a strong sense of spiritual guidance, reflecting Peter's role in the early Christian Church as an apostle and leader.
Popularity of the name Cephas
Cephas, also known as Peter in Greek, is a biblical name with significant historical and religious significance due to its association with Saint Peter, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. However, in modern times, the popularity of the name Cephas outside of religious contexts is relatively low. It's not a commonly used given name in most Western countries, and when it does appear, it's often found among individuals with strong religious affiliations or scholarly pursuits related to biblical studies. In some African cultures, particularly among the Ga people of Ghana, Cephas is more widely used as a first name. Overall, while the name holds historical importance, its contemporary usage is quite limited.
Famous people with the name Cephas
Cephas is a biblical name that has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. The most renowned individual bearing this name is Simon Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ in Christian tradition. As one of the closest followers of Jesus, he played a significant role in the early Christian church and his life story is well-documented in the New Testament. Another famous Cephas is Kofi Annan, a Ghanaian diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006. He was renowned for his work in promoting peacekeeping efforts around the world and received numerous awards for his humanitarian work. Additionally, Cephas Metiew, a Cameroonian singer, songwriter, and music producer, is known for his contributions to contemporary African music.
Variations of the name Cephas
Cephas is a name of Aramaic origin, and it is most notably associated with Saint Peter, who was given this name by Jesus in the New Testament (John 1:42). In Greek, his name is transliterated as Petros, which means "rock" or "stone". The Latin translation of this name is Petrus. In some versions of the Bible, Cephas is also translated as Simon, which is a Hebrew name meaning "God has heard." Therefore, Saint Peter's full name could be interpreted as Simon Peter, Simon Cephas, or Simeon (a Hebrew variant of Simon). Additionally, in modern usage, the name Kapias is a variation of Cephas and is primarily used among Greek speakers.
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
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