Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Seth is a Hebrew name meaning 'appointed' or 'placed'. It comes from the Biblical figure, the third son of Adam and Eve, and has evolved through various languages. The name has a strong biblical relevance and has been popular through history, especially in English-speaking countries. It is often associated with traits of reliability and steadfastness.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/sɛθ/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Seth comes from the Hebrew name שֵׁת (Shet), which means 'appointed' or 'placed'. In the Biblical context, Seth was the third son of Adam and Eve, born after the death of Abel.
Meaning
appointed, placed
Language Evolution
Shet (Hebrew), Seth (Latin), Seth (English)
Biblical Background
Seth is a prominent figure in the Bible, recognized as the third son of Adam and Eve and regarded as an ancestor of Noah.
Historical Usage
The name Seth has been used since ancient times, especially among Hebrew speakers. It gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Protestant Reformation and has remained consistently used since then.
Variants & Derivatives
Sethe, Sethos
Modern Popularity & Image
Seth is viewed as a classic name with biblical roots, often associated with reliability and steadfastness. It has maintained moderate popularity in contemporary society.
Famous People
Seth Green (actor and producer), Seth Rogen (actor and filmmaker), Seth Meyers (comedian and television host)
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,725 peak births in 2000
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (2 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 2 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 643rd of 7545 | 1,532 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 787th of 6773 | 1,183 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 509th of 7552 | 4,141 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 190th of 10718 | 21,802 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 97th of 16616 | 55,354 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 96th of 24088 | 69,387 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 348th of 23106 | 11,409 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 6705th of 19264 | 106 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5287th of 27321 | 256 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 11695th of 35406 | 123 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 26286th of 30306 | 10 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
54.03% 765th/1416 |
41.41% 571st/1379 |
28.53% 675th/2366 |
67.43% 770th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
59.44% 919th/1546 |
32.97% 513th/1556 |
45.98% 1082nd/2353 |
73.11% 1131st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
27.62% 615th/2227 |
10.95% 266th/2430 |
30.14% 860th/2853 |
22.59% 627th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
5.96% 175th/2937 |
3.53% 123rd/3483 |
7.76% 273rd/3518 |
4.48% 181st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
2.06% 76th/3685 |
2.26% 101st/4475 |
1.87% 97th/5194 |
1.96% 124th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
1.62% 74th/4582 |
2.36% 122nd/5164 |
1.18% 86th/7313 |
1.58% 118th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
8.36% 333rd/3984 |
8.38% 376th/4487 |
5.01% 342nd/6822 |
5.70% 358th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
100.00% 4475th/4475 |
100.00% 5194th/5194 |
100.00% 6317th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
70.46% 5153rd/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Alaska across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too rising for male in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too rising for male in South, stalled for female in South, falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 643rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 787th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 509th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 190th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 97th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 96th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 348th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6705th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5287th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 11695th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 26286th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.