Meaning & History
Seth is an English masculine given name derived from the Hebrew name שֵׁת (Sheṯ), meaning "placed" or "set." In the Old Testament, Seth is the third son of Adam and Eve, born after the murder of Abel by Cain. According to Genesis 5:3, Adam fathered a son "in his own likeness, after his image" and named him Seth. In the biblical narrative, Seth is the ancestor of Noah, and thus through him, all of humanity after the Flood. The lineage from Seth to Noah is traced in Genesis 5, which lists patriarchs with remarkable lifespans.
The name Seth was uncommon outside of Jewish communities until the Protestant Reformation, when Old Testament names saw increased usage in England. Puritans and other Protestant groups favored biblical names, and Seth became more popular in the 16th and 17th centuries. In modern times, the name has maintained steady usage in English-speaking countries, though it has never been as common as names like John or Michael.
Culturally, Seth (or Shet) appears in Jewish and Christian traditions as a righteous figure. In the biblical book of Exodus, Seth is mentioned in passing genealogy, but later Jewish tradition expanded his role: the pseudepigraphal Life of Adam and Eve portrays Seth as the one who seeks the Oil of Life from the Garden of Eden. In Gnostic texts, Seth is sometimes viewed as a spiritual ancestor of a special lineage.
Notable bearers of the name include Seth (American professional wrestler Seth Rollins), Seth (American comic actor and comedian), and various saints and scholars. The name's simple one-syllable sound and strong biblical heritage have given it enduring appeal.
- Meaning: "placed, set"
- Origin: Hebrew
- Type: First Name
- Usage: English, English Bible, Greek Bible, Latin Bible