NomOrigine Background

Origin and meaning of the name Jafet

What is the origin of the name Jafet?

The name Jafet is derived from the Hebrew language and is found in the Bible. It appears as "Yaphet" in Genesis 10:1, referring to one of Noah's three sons, son of Noah and father of Canaan, Gomer, Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. The name Jafet is believed to be a variation of the original Hebrew name.

Learn more about the origin of the name Jafet

The meaning, etymology, and origin of the name Jafet

The name Jafet is of Hebrew origin and has its roots in the Old Testament of the Bible. It is derived from the Hebrew word "Yafeh," which means "beautiful" or "handsome." In the biblical story, Jafet (often spelled Japhet in English translations) was one of the three sons of Noah. After the Great Flood, Jafet's descendants are said to have populated much of Europe and Asia. The name Jafet is most commonly used in Hebrew-speaking communities, as well as among Christian and Jewish communities worldwide. It is also a popular name in Spain, Portugal, and other Hispanic countries due to the influence of the biblical story.

Character traits associated with the name Jafet

Jafet is often perceived as a dependable and responsible individual. He tends to be diligent, showing a strong commitment to his tasks and obligations. His analytical mind allows him to carefully consider situations before making decisions, demonstrating his strategic thinking skills. Jafet values integrity and honesty, which makes him a trusted ally among friends and colleagues. He is also known for his patience and understanding, making him a good listener and empathetic companion. Despite his serious demeanor, he has a good sense of humor and enjoys bringing joy to those around him. Overall, Jafet is a reliable and thoughtful individual who is respected for his integrity, intelligence, and kindness.

Popularity of the name Jafet

Jafet is a biblical name, originating from Hebrew and mentioned in the Old Testament as one of Noah's sons. While less common compared to other names in the English-speaking world, Jafet has been increasingly appearing in various countries due to its historical and religious significance. In some Latin American countries, particularly Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, Jafet is a fairly popular name, ranking within the top 500 names for boys according to certain databases. The name's popularity can be attributed to its biblical origin, cultural relevance in specific regions, and unique pronunciation that makes it stand out among more common names. However, outside of these areas, Jafet remains a relatively uncommon choice for parents naming their children.

Famous people with the name Jafet

Jafet (Jephte) is a Biblical character known for his leadership as a judge in ancient Israel during a time of oppression by the Ammonites. His story is recounted in the Book of Judges. Another notable figure with the name Jafet is Jafet El Azzouz, a Moroccan-born French actor who has appeared in several French films and television series. In sports, Jafet Soto is a Costa Rican professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Spanish club Real Betis and the Costa Rica national team. Lastly, Jafet Uzeh, a Nigerian writer and poet, is recognized for his works exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the African diaspora.

Variations of the name Jafet

Jafet is primarily a masculine given name with variations across different cultures and languages. The name has roots in Hebrew, derived from the biblical figure Jephthah. Here are some common variations:

1. Jayphet, Jephte, Jeptha (English) - These variations reflect the traditional pronunciation of the original Hebrew name.
2. Jaafet, Jacob, Jack (Dutch and English) - Some variations may be influenced by other languages or cultures. For example, in Dutch, Jaafet is a variation of Jacob, while Jack is a common English short form for both Jafet and Jacob.
3. Xefeto, Xephet (Basque) - In the Basque language, names often have unique forms that are different from their original meanings or other language origins. Xefeto and Xephet are two examples of this for the name Jafet.
4. Jafett, Jaffet (Scandinavian) - These variations represent common spellings in Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Norway.
5. Iafeth (Welsh) - In Welsh, names often follow unique spelling rules or have variations due to the influence of local phonetics and traditions. Iafeth is one such variation for the name Jafet.

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
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.
Last updated : 26 July 2025

Share the origin and meaning of your name with your friends

Search the origin of a first name

Enter the first name you are looking for below:

Similar First Names

Jafadish (First name)

forenames > jafadish

There is no known origin or meaning for the name "Jafadish" in English. It does not appear to be a common or traditional name with a clear etymology.

Jafar (First name)

forenames > jafar

Jafar is a variant of the Arabic name Jabir, which means "great" or "elephant." The name Jafar has been used in various Islamic cultures for many centuries and is most notably asso...

Jafar ali (First name)

forenames > jafar-ali

The name Jafar is of Arabic origin and means "stream" or "rivulet". Ali is also of Arabic origin and means "high" or "elevated".

Jafar hussein (First name)

forenames > jafar-hussein

The name Jafar is of Arabic origin and means "stream" or "rivulet." Hussein is also of Arabic origin and means "good" or "handsome."

Jafar k (First name)

forenames > jafar-k

The name Jafar originates from Arabic. It is commonly used in Middle Eastern countries and means "stream."

Jafarkhan (First name)

forenames > jafarkhan

Jafarkhan is a Persian name, originating from the combination of the names Jafar and Khan. Jafar is an Arabic name meaning "stream" or "river", while Khan is a title of Turkic orig...

Jafarmiya (First name)

forenames > jafarmiya

The first name "Jafarmiya" appears to have Persian origins. It is derived from the Persian given name "Jafar," which means "stream" or "rivulet," and the suffix "-miya" which could...

Jafarshyke (First name)

forenames > jafarshyke

The first name Jafarshyke does not have a widely recognized origin or meaning in English. It appears to be a unique or uncommon name that may not have a well-documented history.

Jafef (First name)

forenames > jafef

The name "Jafer" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic name "Jafar," which means "stream" or "river." The name is commonly used in various Arabic-speaking countries.

Jafir ansari (First name)

forenames > jafir-ansari

The first name Jafir Ansari has roots in Arabic and South Asian languages. "Jafir" is derived from the Arabic name "Jafar," meaning "stream" or "river." "Ansari" is a common surnam...

Jafir raza (First name)

forenames > jafir-raza

The name Jafir Raza is of Arabic origin. "Jafir" means "stream" or "rivulet" in Arabic, and "Raza" means "pleasure" or "satisfaction".

Jafirul (First name)

forenames > jafirul

The name "Jafirul" is of Arabic origin. It is commonly used in Islamic cultures and is commonly seen as a variation of the name "Jaafar" or "Jafar."

Jafirulla (First name)

forenames > jafirulla

The name "Jafirulla" has its origins in Arabic. It is a combination of the Arabic names "Jafar" and "Allah", with "Jafar" meaning "stream" and "Allah" meaning "God".

Jafr (First name)

forenames > jafr

The name "Jafr" is of Arabic origin.