Yefet

Yefet is the Hebrew form of Japheth, one of the three sons of Noah in the Old Testament book of Genesis. The name is derived from the Hebrew root y-p-t, which carries connotations of "enlargement" or "extension," as reflected in the biblical interpretation that Japheth's descendants would be "enlarged" and spread across Europe and northern Asia (Genesis 9:27).

In the biblical narrative, Yefet (Japheth) is notable not only for being a son of Noah but also for his role in the story of Noah's drunkenness. After Noah became intoxicated and lay uncovered in his tent, Yefet and his brother Shem covered him without looking, while Ham (the father of Canaan) dishonored his father. This led to the curse on Canaan and the blessing on Shem and Yefet. Yefet is also listed in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10) as the ancestor of various peoples, primarily those associated with the Aegean, Anatolia, Caucasus, and other Eurasian regions. In medieval Christian and Jewish traditions, Yefet was often considered the progenitor of the European peoples, reflecting the known ancient geopolitical understanding of the world.

The direct Hebrew form Yefet is used in the original Hebrew Bible and in Hebrew-speaking contexts. It is essentially a transliteration of the original name rather than a distinct variant with widespread modern usage. Related forms include the ancient Greek Iapheth, the Latin Iafeth or Iaphet, and the Spanish Jafet, among others. The name Japheth (used in English Bibles such as the King James Version) has been occasionally employed as a given name, especially in religious communities, but Yefet remains relatively rare as a personal name outside specific Hebrew-speaking circles.

• Meaning: "Enlarged" or "may he extend"
• Origin: Hebrew, from the root y-p-t
• Type: Biblical first name
• Usage Regions: Hebrew Bible, Hebrew-speaking communities