Cephas is a unique and rare male given name of Hebrew origin. It means "branch" or "offspring." The name is derived from the Aramaic word "kepha," which was used in the New Testament of the Bible to refer to the apostle Peter, who was originally named Cephas before being renamed by Jesus Christ.
Cephas is believed to have been born in Bethsaida, a fishing village on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. He was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus and was present at many significant events in His ministry, including the Transfiguration and the Crucifixion. After Jesus' resurrection, Cephas played a crucial role in spreading Christianity throughout Judea and beyond.
In addition to its biblical significance, the name Cephas has been adopted by several notable figures throughout history. For example, Cephas B. Grier was an American soldier who fought in the Civil War and received the Medal of Honor for his bravery at the Battle of Nashville. Today, the name Cephas is still used sparingly but carries with it a rich history and meaning that continues to inspire many.
The name Cephas has a unique history of usage in the United States, as indicated by the provided statistics on births from 1898 to 2023.
Over this period of 125 years, there have been a total of 902 births registered with the name Cephas. The popularity of the name has varied significantly throughout the decades, with some years seeing more than ten births and others as few as five or even fewer.
The most notable peak in usage occurred between 1915 and 1928, during which time there were consistently high numbers of babies named Cephas each year. The highest single year was 1921 with 23 births, followed by 17 births in both 1916 and 1917.
After this peak, the usage of the name declined steadily until it reached its lowest point between the mid-1950s to late-1980s. However, since then, there has been a resurgence in popularity, with the most recent data showing that 2023 had 13 births registered as Cephas.
This pattern of usage over time suggests that while Cephas may not be one of the most popular names in the United States overall, it does have a dedicated following among parents who choose this unique and distinctive name for their children.