Sephiroth is named for the סְפִירוֹת Səphīrōth (Hebrew form of Sephirot), described in the Kabbalah as the manifestations of God that allow Him to manifest in the physical and metaphysical universes, referring to Sephiroth's simultaneous existence in the Lifestream and the Planet, and his manifestations through Jenova. Sephiroth also means numbers, which can be attributed to the Sephiroth Clones. Sephiroth's penultimate form Bizarro Sephiroth is a mistranslation, and Rebirth Sephiroth would be much more apt.

It is often believed that the name Safer Sephiroth is a mis-translation, similar to how Helletic Hojo should have been translated as Heretic Hojo. A common rumor is that Safer is a misspelling of Seraph (שרף) or Seraphim (שְׂרָפִים) due to Safer Sephiroth's angelic appearance. Seraphim are described in the Hebrew Bible as being humanoid angels with six wings: "Above Him stood the Seraphim; each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew". Safer Sephiroth could easily be seen as a Seraphim, with a seventh wing in place of his arm. However, the origin of the name Safer Sephiroth is Hebrew; the name as written in Japanese is セーファ・セフィロス, or Sēfa Sefirosu. Sepher (סֶפֶר) is Hebrew for Book; thus, the name translates to Numbers Book, or, more accurately, Book of Numbers.

Sephiroth is also known as the One-Winged Angel, referring to Final Fantasy VII's final boss theme. The title is significant due to Sephiroth's fallen angel connotation, a title given to those who have fallen from grace. To some, the name One-Winged Angel seems strange, as Safer Sephiroth has a total of seven wings. However, the original Japanese name is 片翼の天使, which means "An Angel With a Wing on One Side," rather than an angel with only one wing. And, as noted above, Sephiroth appears in many titles after Final Fantasy VII with a single black wing, drawing back to his title as the One-Winged Angel.

The Ten Sephirot
Illuminating The Divine Plan

At their fundamental level, the ten Sephirot are a step-by-step process illuminating the Divine plan as it unfolds itself in our world. They are known by the following characteristics from highest to lowest.

Keter
Divine Plan, Creator, Infinite Light
(Supreme, Total Consciousness)

Chokmah
Divine Reality, Revelation
(Power of Wisdom)

Binah
Understanding, Repentance, Reason
(Power of Love)

Chesed
Mercy, Grace, Love of God
(Power of Vision)

Gevurah
Judgment, Strength, Determination
(Power of Intention)

Tipheret
Symmetry, Bbalance, Compassion
(Creative Power)

Netzach
Contemplation, Initiative, Persistence
(Power of the Eternal Now)

Hod
Surrender, Sincerity, Steadfastness
(Intellectual, Observational Power)

Yesod
Foundation, Wholly Remembering, Coherent Knowledge
(Power of Manifesting)

Malkuth
Kingdom, Physical Presence, Vision and Illusion
(Power of Healing, Accomplishment, Realization of Divine Plan)