 The ultimate origin of the name Haifa remains unclear . One theory holds it derives from the name of the high priest Caiaphas . Some Christians believe it was named for Saint Peter , whose Aramaic name was Keiphah . Another theory holds it could be derived from the Hebrew verb root חפה ( hafa ) , meaning to cover or shield , i.e. Mount Carmel covers Haifa ; others point to a possible origin in the Hebrew word חוֹף ( hof ) , meaning shore , or חוֹף יָפֶה ( hof yafe ) , meaning beautiful shore . 
 The ultimate origin of the name Haifa <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>remains</mark></a> unclear . One theory <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>holds</mark></a> it <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>derives</mark></a> from the name of the high priest Caiaphas . Some Christians believe it was named for Saint Peter , whose Aramaic name was Keiphah . Another theory <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>holds</mark></a> it could be derived from the Hebrew verb root חפה ( hafa ) , meaning to cover or shield , i.e. Mount Carmel <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>covers</mark></a> Haifa ; others point to a possible origin in the Hebrew word חוֹף ( hof ) , meaning shore , or חוֹף יָפֶה ( hof yafe ) , meaning beautiful shore . 
The ultimate origin of the name Haifa remain unclear . One theory hold it derive from the name of the high priest Caiaphas . sum Christians believe it was named for Saint Peter , whose Aramaic name was Keiphah . Another theory hold it could be derived from da Hebrew verb root חפה ( hafa ) , meaning to cover or shield , i.e. Mount Carmel cover Haifa ; others point to a possible origin in the Hebrew word חוֹף ( hof ) , meaning shore , or חוֹף יָפֶה ( hof yafe ) , meaning beautiful shore .