Ephrata Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EF-ruh-tuh //ˈɛf.rə.tə//
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Ephrata (Hebrew: 'fruitful'); Ephrata (English: 'place of abundance')
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ephrata has its roots in ancient Hebrew, derived from the word "ephrath," which means "fruitful" or "fertile." This term appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis, where Ephrath is identified as a region in Canaan, notably associated with the city of Bethlehem. The name was later transliterated into Greek as "Ephratha" and subsequently into Latin, maintaining its original connotation of fertility and abundance.
The transition into English occurred through biblical translations, particularly the King James Bible in the early 17th century, which helped popularize many biblical names and terms in the English-speaking world. Historically, Ephrata is significant in biblical narratives, as it is mentioned in connection with the lineage of King David and the birthplace of Jesus Christ, thus embedding the name within the Christian tradition.
The name also appears in various historical texts and documents throughout the centuries, often linked to themes of prosperity and divine blessing. In the 18th century, the name gained further prominence through the establishment of Ephrata Cloister, a religious community in Pennsylvania founded by German settlers, which contributed to the name's cultural resonance in American history.
Culturally, Ephrata symbolizes abundance and divine favor, reflecting its etymological roots. The name has been associated with various traditions and interpretations within both Jewish and Christian contexts, emphasizing its enduring significance.
While diminutive forms or variations of the name may exist, Ephrata itself carries a weight of historical and spiritual meaning that has allowed it to persist through generations.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ephrata, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ephrata was first seen in the United States in 2007.
Ephrata has ranked as high as #13769 nationally, which occurred in 2018, and has been most popular in Maryland.
In the past 5 years the name Ephrata has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Ephrata 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 Ephrata 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 Ephrata.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5 |
| 2024 | 11 | 11 |
| 2023 | 9 | 9 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 |
| 2019 | 9 | 9 |
| 2018 | 13 | 13 |
| 2017 | 5 | 5 |
| 2016 | 8 | 8 |
| 2015 | 7 | 7 |
| 2014 | 6 | 6 |
| 2013 | 8 | 8 |
| 2010 | 8 | 8 |
| 2009 | 6 | 6 |
| 2007 | 7 | 7 |
Top States for Ephrata (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 |
|---|---|---|
| MD | 5 |