Gender Masculine
Usage Literature
Pronounced Pron. /ˌmɛ.fɪ.ˈstɑf.ɪ.liz/(American English) /ˌmɛ.fɪ.ˈstɒf.ɪ.liːz/(British English) [key·simplify]
Meaning & History
Meaning uncertain. It might be based on Hebrew מֵפִיץ (mefits) "scatterer, disperser" and טָפַל (ṭafal) "liar", or on Greek μή (me) "not", φῶς (phos) "light" and φίλος (philos) "friend, lover". Many other etymologies have been proposed. In a German legend, notably retold by Goethe, this is the name of a demon who makes a deal with Faust to exchange his soul for magical powers.
Related Names
VariantMephisto