Alpheus
Alpheus is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Successor or changing; river god.
Origin and history
Alpheus is a classic name of Ancient Greek origin meaning 'successor' or 'river god'. Historically derived from Greek mythology and the New Testament, it has a long history of rare usage in the United States. Today, it remains an uncommon choice with a vintage, biblical feel.
Popularity in the United States
770 babies in the United States have been named Alpheus since 1880. It ranks #3906 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1907.
States where it is most popular
- PA (66.7 %)
- VA (33.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 48 |
| 1890-1900 | 25 |
| 1900-1910 | 25 |
| 1910-1920 | 162 |
| 1920-1930 | 180 |
| 1930-1940 | 94 |
| 1940-1950 | 81 |
| 1950-1960 | 70 |
| 1960-1970 | 31 |
| 1970-1980 | 18 |
| 1980-1990 | 11 |
| 1990-2000 | 5 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 20 |
Famous people named Alpheus
- Alpheus Hyatt: Zoologist, Paleontologist
Fun facts
- In Greek myth, Alpheus was a river god who fell in love with the nymph Arethusa.
- The name appears multiple times in the New Testament as a patronymic identifier.