Cleofa / Kleopas / Cleophas

Cleofa is a rare masculine name derived from the Ancient Greek name Kleopas (Κλεόπας). Kleopas itself is a shortened form of Kleopatros (Κλεόπατρος), meaning 'glory of the father' from 'kleos' (κλέος) meaning 'glory' and 'pater' (πατήρ) meaning 'father'. The name has biblical associations through Cleopas, one of the two disciples to whom the resurrected Jesus appeared on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:18).

While the longer form Cleopatra became famously associated with the Egyptian queen and is predominantly female, the masculine form Kleopas and its variants like Cleofa have remained much rarer. Its usage has been sporadic and largely confined to regions with strong historical ties to classical Greek and early Christian traditions. The name's rarity today makes it a distinctive choice with a rich historical and etymological background.