Declining since 2006, #6,446 for boys today.
Popularity of Zephan since 1989
Babies named Zephan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 6 |
| 1990s | 74 |
| 2000s | 180 |
| 2010s | 195 |
| 2020s | 89 |
Meaning & origin
Zephan is a modern biblical offshoot that entered the U.S. baby name charts in 1989, a time when parents began reviving old-testament names in shorter forms. Its peak popularity came in 2011, when it reached its highest rank. Since 2006, however, its usage has been falling, reflecting a broader shift away from softer-sounding biblical names toward more contemporary choices. Despite its rarity, Zephan maintains a gentle, dignified sound that appeals to families seeking a name with religious resonance but without the full length of Zephaniah. As of the latest data, it remains a distinctive choice, given to roughly 1 in every 131,390 boys.
Zephan is a short form or variant of Zephaniah, a biblical name of Hebrew origin meaning 'Yahweh has hidden' or 'God has treasured.' The name Zephaniah appears in the Old Testament as a prophet and author of the Book of Zephaniah. Zephan emerged as an independent given name in English-speaking countries in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States, where it has been in use since 1989.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zep, Zeph
Sibling names for Zephan
Names that share Zephan's style, for a brother or sister.
