Holding steady, #3,848 for boys today.
Popularity of Naftuli since 1991
Babies named Naftuli per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 52 |
| 2000s | 193 |
| 2010s | 249 |
| 2020s | 175 |
Meaning & origin
Naftuli is a rare Hebrew name with deep biblical roots. As of 2025, it ranked 3,848 in the United States, with roughly 1 in 61,003 newborn boys receiving the name. Its peak popularity came in 2005. The name has maintained a stable presence since first appearing in U.S. records in 1991. Unlike the more common Anglicized form Naphtali, Naftuli retains a distinctly traditional Hebrew flavor and is primarily used within Jewish communities. While no state registered notably high usage, the name's enduring though low-frequency use reflects a connection to heritage rather than mainstream fashion.
Derived from the Hebrew root 'naftal' meaning 'to struggle, to wrestle.' In the Hebrew Bible, Naftuli is the son of Jacob and Bilhah, and his birth is accompanied by Rachel's declaration, 'I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed.' The name is thus associated with struggle and divine favor. Though less common than the Anglicized 'Naphtali,' Naftuli is used in Jewish communities, particularly among Ashkenazi Jews.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nafti, Naftula, Tuli
Sibling names for Naftuli
Names that share Naftuli's style, for a brother or sister.
