Efraim Boy

Popularity: #887 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EF-ray-im /ɛfˈreɪɪm/

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Hebrew: fruitful; blessed

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Efraim has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the name אֶפְרָיִם (Efrayim), which is believed to mean "fruitful" or "to be fruitful." This etymology reflects the biblical context in which the name is situated, as Efraim was one of the sons of Joseph, a significant figure in the Book of Genesis. The name's transition into other languages occurred through the Greek form, Εφραΐμ (Ephraim), which was used in the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, and subsequently into Latin as Efraim, before being adopted into Old French and eventually English.

This linguistic journey illustrates the name's deep biblical and cultural significance, particularly within Jewish and Christian traditions. Historically, Efraim is notable for its association with the tribe of Ephraim, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, which played a crucial role in the history of the Israelites.

The tribe is often mentioned in the context of the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of the Israelite monarchy. In the biblical narrative, Ephraim is frequently depicted as a symbol of strength and prosperity, which has contributed to the name's enduring legacy.

The name appears in various biblical texts, including the Book of Genesis and the Book of Joshua, where it is associated with significant events and figures. Culturally, Efraim has resonated through centuries as a name symbolizing abundance and blessing, often evoking themes of fertility and growth.

Its biblical roots have made it a choice for many families seeking to honor their heritage or religious beliefs. The name has also been adapted into various diminutive forms, such as Ephra, which have been used in different cultures.

Overall, Efraim's historical and cultural significance is deeply intertwined with its biblical origins, reflecting a rich legacy that has persisted through generations.

Famous people named Efraim

In this section, you will find notable people named Efraim. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Efraim who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Efraim who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Efraim Zuroff is a historian best known for his work on Nazi war crimes and the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

Efraim Kishon was a writer and playwright best known for his satirical works and films such as Sallah Shabati and The Policeman.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Efraim, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

EliIsaacLeviSamuelNoahDavid

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Efraim. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

EphraimEzraElijahAbrahamIsaiahGideonSolomonZachariah

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Efraim was first seen in the United States in 1920.

Efraim has ranked as high as #4727 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in New York, New Jersey, and California.

In the past 5 years the name Efraim has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Efraim is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Efraim was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Efraim.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 51 51
2024 64 64
2023 65 65
2022 64 64
2021 57 57
2020 41 41
2019 44 44
2018 46 46
2017 53 53
2016 39 39
2015 47 47
2014 36 36
2013 51 51
2012 44 44
2011 49 49
2010 56 56
2009 57 57
2008 40 40
2007 36 36
2006 33 33
2005 24 24
2004 38 38
2003 36 36
2002 24 24
2001 25 25
2000 27 27
1999 24 24
1998 28 28
1997 19 19
1996 11 11
1995 19 19
1994 16 16
1993 16 16
1992 19 19
1991 16 16
1990 22 22
1989 14 14
1988 13 13
1987 13 13
1986 20 20
1985 22 22
1984 15 15
1983 17 17
1982 15 15
1981 12 12
1980 16 16
1979 12 12
1978 21 21
1977 9 9
1976 18 18
1975 7 7
1974 6 6
1973 21 21
1972 23 23
1971 11 11
1970 17 17
1969 16 16
1968 5 5
1967 8 8
1966 13 13
1965 9 9
1964 9 9
1963 10 10
1962 9 9
1961 10 10
1960 13 13
1959 7 7
1958 8 8
1957 12 12
1956 7 7
1955 7 7
1954 8 8
1953 12 12
1952 6 6
1951 9 9
1950 8 8
1944 5 5
1939 5 5
1934 5 5
1931 5 5
1920 6 6

Top States for Efraim (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 25
57%
NJ 19
43%