Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Seth
BoyHebrew· “appointed”
- Meaning
- appointed
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- SEHTH
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #581
- US babies 2025
- 505
- Best rank
- #63 (2000)
- Peak year
- 2000
Meaning and origin of Seth
Seth is a Hebrew name that means “appointed”.
Seth comes from the Hebrew Shet, which the Book of Genesis explains as "appointed" or "placed," because Eve says that God has appointed another child for her in place of Abel. Seth is the third son of Adam and Eve and an ancestor of Noah. The name was used by Puritans and has been steadily used in English since. It should not be confused with Set, an Egyptian god whose name is sometimes written Seth in English; the two are unrelated. Seth is short, soft and quietly strong, a classic single-syllable name that pairs well with longer middle names.
Popularity over time
Seth has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #63 in 2000, the same year it reached its highest count of 6,717 babies. In 2025, 505 babies were named Seth, and it ranked #581 nationally. That is 63% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #603 in 1920, #594 in 1950, #99 in 1980, #63 in 2000, #164 in 2010, and #581 in 2025. Of the 165,793 US boys named Seth since records began, 29% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 42,213 babies. Since 2010, 18,219 more have been named Seth.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Carlos, Garrett, Alejandro, Bryce, and Brendan.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Seth ranked highest in Indiana, Utah, and Oregon.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Seth is usually pronounced SEHTH, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with S and ends in “-th”.
Middle names for Seth
A few middle names that flow with Seth: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Seth
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Lists that include Seth
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Seth mean?
Seth is a Hebrew name that means “appointed”.
What is the origin of the name Seth?
Seth has Hebrew roots. Seth comes from the Hebrew Shet, which the Book of Genesis explains as "appointed" or "placed," because Eve says that God has appointed another child for her in place of Abel.
Is Seth a popular name?
Yes. Seth ranked #581 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Seth a boy or girl name?
Seth is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Seth?
Seth is usually pronounced SEHTH. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings