Nephthali

Hebrew

"wrestling, struggling"

Nephthali Origin and Meaning

The name Nephthali is a boy's name.

Nephthali is a masculine name derived from Naphtali, one of the twelve sons of Jacob in Hebrew Bible tradition. The name comes from Hebrew roots meaning 'my struggle' or 'my wrestling,' as Naphtali's mother Rachel reportedly exclaimed, 'With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and prevailed.' This variant spelling with 'ph' instead of 'p' and the ending 'i' gives the biblical name a distinctive appearance. Pronounced nef-THAL-ee or nef-TAL-ee, it retains connections to its ancient Hebrew origins while standing apart from the more common Naphtali. Extremely rare as a first name, Nephthali offers a unique biblical choice with strong spiritual significance and historical depth for families seeking a name with religious heritage.