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Josaphat
Fact sheet
- Name
- Josaphat
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 3
Josaphat is a short form of the biblical name Jehoshaphat, which has arisen through contraction. The Hebrew origin of the name is יְהוֹשָׁפָט (jəhôšāfāt). In German, it is also rendered as Joschafat or Jehoschafat.
What does the name Josaphat mean?
The name Josaphat derives from the Hebrew elements jəhô (יְהוֹ) and jô (יוֹ), which stand for 'JHWH/Yahweh, name of God', and pt (שׁפט), meaning 'to judge, to help achieve justice'. Thus, the name can be interpreted as 'JHWH has spoken justice' or 'JHWH has judged'. In the 9th century BC, Josaphat was king of Judah, and his son Joram succeeded him. Some other less significant biblical figures also bore this name. Today, Josaphat is primarily found in Africa.
Where does the name Josaphat come from?
The name Josaphat has its roots in Old Hebrew and is of biblical origin. It means 'JHWH has spoken justice' or 'JHWH has judged'. The word components consist of jəhô (יְהוֹ) or jô (יוֹ) for JHWH/Yahweh, and pt (שׁפט) for to judge or to help achieve justice. The name is also used in African languages.
How do you pronounce Josaphat?
The pronunciation of the name Josaphat is three syllables and sounds similar to the name Josafat, but with a slightly different sound structure. In German, it is typically pronounced as 'Jo-sa-phat' [ˈjoːzafat], creating a smooth and stable sound movement. The 'ph' gives the name a subtle, slightly foreign nuance, while the 't' provides a firm closure. Thus, Josaphat appears dignified and impressive, with a sonorous, calm, and strongly biblical, historical character.
When is the name day of Josaphat?
The name day for Josaphat is celebrated on November 12 and 27.
Popularity
In Germany, Josaphat is considered a rare first name. In 2022, it ranked 5,453rd in the list of the most common male baby names. Its best placement was in 2012 at rank 3,479. In the last ten years, Josaphat has been given less than ten times, placing it 9,638th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 8,037th.
Famous people
- Jean-Josaphat Gagnier (conductor from Canada)
- Josaphat Araldi (Italian painter)
Frequently asked questions about the name Josaphat
What does the name Josaphat mean?
The name Josaphat means 'JHWH has spoken justice' or 'JHWH has judged', derived from the Hebrew roots for God and the act of judging.
Where does the name Josaphat come from?
Josaphat has its roots in Old Hebrew and is of biblical origin, where it became known primarily through the story of the king of Judah.
How popular is the name Josaphat today?
Today, Josaphat is primarily common in Africa, while it is less frequently encountered in other regions.