Ephraim

Pronunciation: [ EEFR-uhm ]

Boy Name #982 Most Popular Steady 3 Syllables

An ancient Hebrew blessing — fruitful in every generation

Jewish Christian Mormon/LDS African American

Traditional Spiritual Classic Strong

Meaning & Origin

"fruitful, doubly fruitful"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

The Story of Ephraim

Ephraim is a Hebrew biblical name (אֶפְרַיִם) meaning 'fruitful' or 'doubly fruitful,' from the root 'para' (to be fruitful). In Genesis, Joseph named his second son Ephraim, saying 'God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.' Ephraim became one of the most powerful of the twelve tribes of Israel — so dominant, in fact, that the name 'Ephraim' was used by the Hebrew prophets as a synonym for the entire northern Kingdom of Israel.

Ephraim has been used continuously in Jewish communities for three thousand years. In the United States, it gained additional popularity among Mormon (LDS) families — Ephraim, Utah is named for the tribe and holds special covenant significance in LDS theology. It is experiencing renewed interest among parents seeking serious, historically deep biblical names.

Ephraim holds significant importance in multiple traditions: in Judaism as a leading tribe of Israel, in Christianity as a symbol of God's blessing and fruitfulness, and in Mormonism as a tribe with special covenantal significance. The tribe of Ephraim's dominance led to the name being used as a poetic term for all of Israel.

Fun Facts

The tribe of Ephraim was so powerful that the name 'Ephraim' is used as a synonym for the entire northern Kingdom of Israel in the Hebrew prophets
Ephraim, Utah was settled by Mormon pioneers in 1853 and named after the biblical tribe, reflecting LDS theology about the tribe's modern covenant role

Ephraim in Other Languages

Greek Ἐφραίμ

Latin Ephraim

Arabic أفرايم

Hebrew אֶפְרַיִם

Spanish Efraín

Famous People Named Ephraim

Ephraim Kishon

Writer

1924

Hungarian-born Israeli satirist and filmmaker, one of the most widely read Israeli authors worldwide and two-time Academ...

Hungarian-born Israeli satirist and filmmaker, one of the most widely read Israeli authors worldwide and two-time Academy Award nominee

Ephraim (son of Joseph)

Other

Second son of Joseph and Asenath in Genesis; one of the twelve patriarchs and progenitor of the powerful tribe of Ephrai...

Second son of Joseph and Asenath in Genesis; one of the twelve patriarchs and progenitor of the powerful tribe of Ephraim

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #982
Total SSA Count: 229
Cultural Origins: Jewish Christian Mormon/LDS African American
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Eph

Pairs Well With

Ephraim James Ephraim David Ephraim John Ephraim Thomas Ephraim Samuel

Sibling Names

Miriam Naomi Benjamin Ezra Priscilla

Similar Names

Abram Efraim Efrain Avrum Avraham Ibrahim Avrohom Ibraheem

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ephraim

What does the name Ephraim mean?

"fruitful, doubly fruitful" (from Hebrew). Ephraim is a Hebrew biblical name (אֶפְרַיִם) meaning 'fruitful' or 'doubly fruitful,' from the root 'para' (to be fruitful). In Genesis, Joseph named his second son Ephraim, saying 'God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.' Ephraim became one of the most powerful of the twelve tribes of Israel — so dominant, in fact, that the name 'Ephraim' was used by the Hebrew prophets as a synonym for the entire northern Kingdom of Israel.

What is the origin of the name Ephraim?

Ephraim has Hebrew, Jewish, Christian, Mormon/LDS, and African American origins. In Hebrew, it means "fruitful, doubly fruitful".

Is Ephraim a boy or girl name?

Ephraim is primarily used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Ephraim?

Ephraim is pronounced EEFR-uhm.

How popular is the name Ephraim?

Ephraim is currently ranked #982 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Ephraim?

Common nicknames for Ephraim include Eph.

What are good middle names for Ephraim?

Popular middle name pairings include Ephraim James, Ephraim David, Ephraim John, Ephraim Thomas, and Ephraim Samuel.

What are good sibling names for Ephraim?

Names that pair well with Ephraim as siblings include Miriam, Naomi, Benjamin, Ezra, and Priscilla.

How many syllables does Ephraim have?

Ephraim has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Ephraim a common or rare name?

Ephraim is moderately common, ranked #982 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Ephraim

Ephraim is a boy name with Jewish, Christian, Mormon/LDS, and African American origins . The name means "fruitful, doubly fruitful" in Hebrew .

Ephraim is currently ranked #982 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Ephraim has 3 syllables and is pronounced EEFR-uhm, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Ephraim include Eph. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.