Nephi
Nephi is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Good, fair, or beautiful; historically linked to the Egyptian root 'nefer'.
Origin and history
Nephi is a given name best known as the name of major figures in the Book of Mormon, rooted historically in ancient Hebrew or Egyptian linguistic origins. In the United States, it is primarily used within the Latter-day Saint (LDS) community. It remains a rare given name, with around 730 total male births recorded in official U.S. records since 1880.
Popularity in the United States
730 babies in the United States have been named Nephi since 1880. It ranks #3946 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1882.
States where it is most popular
- UT (90.2 %)
- CA (9.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 17 |
| 1920-1930 | 29 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 5 |
| 1950-1960 | 6 |
| 1960-1970 | 12 |
| 1970-1980 | 110 |
| 1980-1990 | 109 |
| 1990-2000 | 133 |
| 2000-2010 | 160 |
| 2010-2019 | 104 |
| 2020-2029 | 45 |
Famous people named Nephi
- Nephi Sewell: athlete, football player
Fun facts
- The name Nephi is borne by several key prophets in Latter-day Saint scripture, including the author of the First and Second Books of Nephi.
- Linguists often connect the name to the ancient Egyptian root 'nfr', meaning good, fine, or beautiful.