Cephas
Borrowed from Latin Cēphās, from Ancient Greek Κηφᾶς (Kēphâs), from Aramaic כֵּיפָא/Classical Syriac ܟܐܦܐ (kēp̄ā, “stone, rock”).
Every Cephas since 1898 — 930 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cephas
Cephas is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,070 in 2025 with 19 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1898, 930 American babies have been named Cephas. Its peak came in 1921, when 23 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Cephas stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cephas year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 | #5,070 |
| 2024 | 9 | #8,437 |
| 2023 | 13 | #6,607 |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | 12 | #6,778 |
| 2020 | 14 | #6,030 |
| 2019 | 14 | #6,155 |
| 2018 | 13 | #6,409 |
| 2017 | 12 | #6,758 |
| 2016 | 10 | #7,693 |
| 2015 | 12 | #6,742 |
| 2014 | 9 | #8,256 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | 6 | #11,025 |
| 2011 | 11 | #7,091 |
| 2010 | 7 | #9,866 |
| 2009 | 13 | #6,492 |
| 2008 | 10 | #7,789 |
| 2007 | 7 | #9,939 |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | 7 | #9,282 |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | 9 | #7,326 |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | 5 | #10,621 |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | 5 | #6,682 |
| 1980 | 9 | #4,188 |
| 1975 | 5 | #5,585 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | 7 | #3,383 |
| 1955 | 8 | #3,004 |
| 1950 | 10 | #2,458 |
| 1945 | 8 | #2,593 |
| 1940 | 11 | #2,201 |
| 1935 | 12 | #2,147 |
| 1930 | 13 | #2,200 |
| 1925 | 18 | #1,881 |
| 1920 | 19 | #1,831 |
| 1915 | 14 | #1,989 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | 5 | #1,263 |
| 1900 | 6 | #1,189 |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cephas mean?
Borrowed from Latin Cēphās, from Ancient Greek Κηφᾶς (Kēphâs), from Aramaic כֵּיפָא/Classical Syriac ܟܐܦܐ (kēp̄ā, “stone, rock”).
How popular is the name Cephas in 2025?
Cephas ranked #5,070 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 19 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Cephas?
930 babies have been named Cephas in the United States since 1898, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cephas most popular?
Cephas peaked in 1921, when 23 newborns received the name.
Is Cephas a boy or girl name?
Cephas is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cephas rising or falling?
Cephas is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.