Meaning behind the name Naftali

amother

Beige

Fri, Aug 12 2016, 5:17 am

Apart from being one of the shevatim, what are the connotations of the name? We also like it as its part of modern Israel's narrative and the 3 boys. We would add a second name.

water_bear88

Fri, Aug 12 2016, 5:28 am

Often paired with Tzvi, at least in older generations, because Naftali is associated with that animal.

amother

Pink

Fri, Aug 12 2016, 6:10 am

It has to do with being joined or bound together. Naftali was the second son Bilha gave birth to. Rachel named him saying she felt she was now "joined" to her sister in motherhood.

amother

Peach

Fri, Aug 12 2016, 9:33 am

Naftali I believe means Deer. One of my favorite boys names.

amother

Pink

Fri, Aug 12 2016, 10:29 am

amother wrote:

Naftali I believe means Deer. One of my favorite boys names.

It doesn't mean deer. It's associated with deer because it's the symbol for shevet Naftali, like how Yehuda is associated with a lion because that was his symbol, and Binyamin with the Wolf. I love the name too. Amazingly, with 3 boys, I haven't used it yet, because various circumstances sent us in other directions.