Zephaniah

[Spookypig]

Zephaniah, nickname Zeph, has always been my favourite name for a boy (followed closely by Isaiah pronounced the American way - eye-zay-uh). But I always dismissed Zephaniah as unusable because of the number of syllables, even thought I’d use Zeph as the day to day name.

However, a close friend of mine recently had a baby Zachariah, nickname Zach, which is a pretty well known and well used name - isn’t it? This made me think that maybe Zephaniah nn Zeph was usable after all! What do you think?

I know it’s very biblical but biblical names are my favourite and my other children have biblical names!

If you love it, go for it! I automatically thought of Zachariah when I saw your post so why not Zephaniah! Zeph sounds really cool. Although it’s not a name I would use it sounds like it really suits you and your other DCs! 😊

Isaiah is also a cool name! Either sound great potential names for your DS x

Thank you! I thought they’d be negative response, so I’m so happy to read these replies! 😊

It's very biblical, but if that suits you then I think it's a nice name. Zeph is a great diminutive. It makes me think of Benjamin Zephaniah.

Zephaniah is cool. I think people will have heard of it more because of Benjamin Zephaniah as well. Zeph is a cute nn.
I wouldn't use Isaiah because your pronunciation just isn't the one used here and everyone will get it wrong. I know it's easy to say people will learn but it's not like Xavier where the 2 main pronunciations are as popular as each other (or Elena or Alicia where the 2 pronunciations are recognisable alternatives). Literally no one in the UK will say it your way and that would get way too annoying.

I like it! Benjamin Zephaniah is very well-known and widely read in both primary and secondary schools so pronunciation and spelling issues should be minimal.

I think it’s awful.
I like Isaiah though

I quite like it. Reminds me of Benjamin Zephaniah but that's no bad thing.

I don't mind Zeph, but I hate the full version.

I went to school with a Zephan. Could have been short for zephaniah, but never questioned it and works as a shorter version if you wanted it to

It's a bit long but if you like Zeph, that's not an issue. It seems very religious.

I love it. I like a lot of biblical names too (including Isaiah but not your pronunciation). Zeph is cute for short, Zephy would be too.

It’s perfectly useable. Nice name.

It’s lovely.

Unusual but in a good way.

I don't like your choice of pronunciation for Isaiah.