Shem is named first among Noah’s sons in Genesis after the Flood. Genesis 9:18 introduces Shem, Ham, and Japheth in that order after Noah and his family leave the Ark.
The three sons are central to the biblical account of the repopulation of the world after the Flood. Genesis 10, often called the Table of Nations, presents descendants associated with each son and describes the spread of peoples and territories.
The order of names is not the same as a simple statement of birth order. Genesis 9:24 calls Ham Noah’s youngest son, while Genesis 10:21 contains wording that has generated different translations and interpretations about Shem and Japheth. As a result, “Shem” is the precise answer to the question about who is named first, without claiming that the list order alone settles every chronological question. Later Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions give the three sons important genealogical roles.