Holding steady, #5,045 for boys today.
Popularity of Cephas since 1898
Babies named Cephas per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Cephas's real moment was 1898.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 6 |
| 1900s | 11 |
| 1910s | 100 |
| 1920s | 155 |
| 1930s | 108 |
| 1940s | 91 |
| 1950s | 82 |
| 1960s | 41 |
| 1970s | 55 |
| 1980s | 45 |
| 1990s | 24 |
| 2000s | 51 |
| 2010s | 94 |
| 2020s | 67 |
Meaning & origin
Cephas is a biblical name with deep roots in the New Testament. It first recorded in U.S. data in 1898, which also marked its peak year. In 2025, the name ranks 5,045 with a frequency of 1 in 89,899 boys, reflecting its very rare usage. The trajectory category is 'stable,' indicating no recent surge or decline. The name is most often chosen by families with strong religious ties, though it remains uncommon across all states.
Cephas is a Hellenized form of the Aramaic name Kefa, meaning 'rock' or 'stone.' In the New Testament, Jesus gave the name Cephas (rendered as Peter in Greek) to the apostle Simon. The name has been used infrequently in English-speaking countries, primarily among Christians with a strong biblical focus.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Kephas, Cefa
Sibling names for Cephas
Names that share Cephas's style, for a brother or sister.
