Japheth

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Japheth

/ˈd͡ʒeɪfɛθ/ UK, US
/ˈd͡ʒeɪfɪθ/ UK, US
/ˈd͡ʒeɪfɛð/ UK, US
/ˈdʒɛ̯ɪfɪf/ General South African, colloquial
/(d)ʒeɪ̯ˈfɛt/ English, Quebec

Where it comes from

From Middle English Jafeth (as attested in Wycliffe's Bible), from Old English Iafeth (see e.g. Aelfric of Eynsham) and Middle French Japhet, both from Late Latin Iaphet, Iafeth, from Koine Greek Ἰάφεθ (Iápheth), from Hebrew יֶפֶת (yépheth). Further origin uncertain; folk etymology as well as rabbinical and patristic claims usually point to a meaning like "enlarged", in reference to Genesis 9:27, or "fair" (pale, in reference to complexion).

proper noun Jafeth · Japhet · Iapheth · Iapetus · Japetus

The third son of Noah, brother to Shem and Ham, who received a blessing from God with Shem, considered to be the ancestor of the Japhetic people(s) (associated approx. with Indo-Europeans and Turkic peoples). To the sons of Japheth; Spain, France, Greece, Germany, Asia Minor, Circassia, and Europe in general...Gomer: his numerous descendants spread themselves over a considerable part of Asia Minor, and the north of Europe.
uncommon A male given name from Hebrew of biblical origin. “If you are not ready, come with me to another beach,” Japheth said anxiously. “I said,” Jed Elliott said flatly, his teeth showing, “that I can take care of myself.” And the tone was too flat. “Would the americano fight?" Don Leon asked."

Translations

Every language

name third son of Noah

Español	Jafet, Japhet
हिन्दी	येपेत yepet
Português	Jafé
Français	Japhet, Jafet
Deutsch	Japhet, Japheth
Italiano	Jafet
Ελληνικά	Ιάφεθ Iáfeth
Русский	Иафе́т Iafét
Tiếng Việt	Gia-phết
العربية	يَافَث yāfaṯ

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MLA

"Japheth." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/japheth. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

Japheth. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/japheth

Chicago

"Japheth." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/japheth.

BibTeX

@misc{japheth_2026,
  title = {Japheth},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/japheth},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}