נַפְתָּלִי

Naftali

boyHebrewJewish

Naftali is a Jewish boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “My struggle”.

MeaningMy struggle
GenderBoy
OriginHebrew
Written asנַפְתָּלִי
Pronunciationnahf-tah-LEE
TraditionJewish
Used inIsrael, United States

Meaning and origin of Naftali

Naftali is the sixth son of Jacob, born to Bilhah, and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. In Genesis 30:8 Rachel explains the name with a play on the Hebrew word for wrestling or struggle, so it is usually given as 'my struggle'. Jacob's blessing compares Naftali to a deer let loose, and the deer became the tribe's symbol. Naftali Bennett, the former Israeli prime minister, bears the name.

Is Naftali a Jewish name?

Naftali is a biblical name used by Jewish families, especially in Orthodox communities, where it is often paired with Hirsh ('deer') in Yiddish.

How popular is Naftali?

Used in Israel and in Orthodox Jewish communities worldwide.

Gifts with the name Naftali

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Spellings and variants of Naftali

NaphtaliNaftalyTuli

Names similar to Naftali

More Jewish boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Naftali mean?

Naftali means 'My struggle'. It is of Hebrew origin.

Is Naftali a Jewish name?

Naftali is a biblical name used by Jewish families, especially in Orthodox communities, where it is often paired with Hirsh ('deer') in Yiddish.

How do you pronounce Naftali?

Naftali is pronounced nahf-tah-LEE.

Is Naftali a boy or girl name?

Naftali is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.