Neftali
Meaningmy struggle · Hebrew
Neftali is a Mexican boy name meaning “my struggle”, with Hebrew roots. Many Hebrew names come from the Bible, which is why they've been carried through families for thousands of years. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Neftali has the name Ali hiding inside it.
- Word funNeftali doesn't repeat a single letter: 7 letters, all different.
- GenerationNeftali peaked in 1997, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Neftali you'd meet today is about 28 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Neftali would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 37,175 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryNeftali first shows up in US birth records in 1953, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 72 years since.
- Boy or girlNeftali truly works for either: 87% of the 53 babies named Neftali in 2025 were boys, the rest girls.
US births per million boys, 1953–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Neftali
Neftali is a boy name of Mexican origin meaning “my struggle”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It hit its peak in the 1990s and is climbing again now. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Mexican names
More Mexican boy names
- Boy name: Liam · resolute protector
- Boy name: Oliver · olive tree
- Boy name: Mateo · gift of God
- Boy name: Lucas · man from Lucania
- Boy name: Benjamin · son of the right hand
- Unisex name: Elias · my God is Yahweh
- Unisex name: Luca · man from Lucania
- Boy name: Sebastian · venerable
Questions about the name Neftali
What does the name Neftali mean?
Neftali means “my struggle” and comes from Hebrew. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Ajani (“one who wins after a struggle”), Nidal (“struggle, striving”) and Naphtali (“my struggle”).
What is the origin of the name Neftali?
Neftali is Mexican in origin, and its meaning traces back to Hebrew. Other Mexican names to consider are Liam (“resolute protector”), Oliver (“olive tree”), Mateo (“gift of God”) and Lucas (“man from Lucania”).
Is Neftali a boy or girl name?
Neftali is a boy name, though a few girls are given it too each year. In 2025, 46 US boys were named Neftali.
How popular is the name Neftali?
Neftali ranked #2,765 for US boys in 2025, given to 46 babies. Its best year was 1997, when it reached #1,580. Over the last five years it has climbed 1,510 places.
What names are similar to Neftali?
If you like Neftali, you might also like Ajani, Nidal and Naphtali.
What should I know before naming my baby Neftali?
Neftali is a Mexican boy name meaning “my struggle”, with Hebrew roots. Many Hebrew names come from the Bible, which is why they've been carried through families for thousands of years. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.