Naftali
Naftali is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
My struggle or my wrestling.
Origin and history
Naftali is a traditional masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning 'my struggle' or 'wrestling'. In the Hebrew Bible, Naphtali is the sixth son of Jacob and the founder of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. In the United States, it is primarily used within Jewish communities, maintaining steady, moderate usage.
Popularity in the United States
2,024 babies in the United States have been named Naftali since 1880. It ranks #2864 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1520.
States where it is most popular
- NY (80.5 %)
- NJ (19.2 %)
- MD (0.31 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 28 |
| 1960-1970 | 36 |
| 1970-1980 | 124 |
| 1980-1990 | 189 |
| 1990-2000 | 253 |
| 2000-2010 | 436 |
| 2010-2019 | 550 |
| 2020-2029 | 408 |
Famous people named Naftali
- Naftali Bennett: Politician, Prime Minister
- Naftali Temu: Athlete, Olympic Champion
Fun facts
- The name originates from Rachel's words in Genesis upon the birth of her maidservant Bilhah's son.
- While spelled Naftali in modern Hebrew transliterations, it commonly appears as Naphtali in older English Bible translations.