Zephaniah is a unique and distinctive male given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "Tzaphaniah," which means "Yahweh has hidden" or "Yahweh has concealed." The name is believed to have been first used in the biblical Book of Zephaniah, one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament. In this book, Zephaniah is identified as a prophet who lived during the reign of King Josiah in Judah (around 640-610 BCE). He was known for his prophecies of impending doom and judgment upon Jerusalem and its people due to their idolatry and other sins. Despite its somber biblical context, the name Zephaniah has been chosen by many parents throughout history as it carries a sense of mystery and uniqueness. It is also associated with wisdom and spiritual insight due to its connection to the prophet Zephaniah. Today, Zephaniah remains an uncommon yet captivating choice for parents seeking a distinctive name for their child with deep historical and cultural roots.
The name Zephaniah experienced a significant surge in popularity from the late 1970s onwards, with a notable increase starting in the mid-1990s. Between 1972 and 1985, the annual number of births ranged between 7 and 15, but this began to climb consistently from 1986 onwards, reaching over 100 births per year by 2007. The highest recorded year was 2019 with 170 births. However, there has been a slight dip in popularity in recent years, with the most recent data (2022) showing 125 births. In total, over the period from 1972 to 2023, there have been 3109 recorded births with the name Zephaniah.