Ephratah Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ef-rah-tah /ɛfˈrɑːtə/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: fruitful; fertile
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ephratah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the word "פרח" (parach), which means "to blossom" or "to bear fruit." This name appears in the biblical context, specifically in the Old Testament, where it is associated with the region of Bethlehem. The name is often linked to the phrase "Ephrathah" in the Book of Micah, which refers to Bethlehem as "Bethlehem Ephratah," indicating its significance as a place of birth and growth, particularly in relation to the lineage of King David and, by extension, the Christian narrative surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ.
The transition of the name into English occurred through the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, and later through the Latin Vulgate, which maintained the name's form as it entered the vernacular of English-speaking populations during the Middle Ages. Historically, Ephratah is mentioned in the context of significant biblical events, notably in the genealogies of the Old Testament.
The name is often associated with the matriarch Rachel, who is said to have died in childbirth near Ephrath, as recorded in the Book of Genesis. This connection to pivotal biblical figures and events has contributed to the name's enduring presence in religious and cultural texts.
The name's association with fertility and growth resonates with various themes in biblical literature, symbolizing hope and renewal. Culturally, Ephratah carries connotations of heritage and identity, particularly within Jewish tradition, where names often reflect familial lineage and historical narratives.
The name's biblical roots and its connection to significant locations in the Holy Land have made it a symbol of cultural and spiritual significance. While diminutive forms or variations may exist, Ephratah itself remains a name steeped in historical and religious importance, reflecting the rich tapestry of biblical history and its lasting impact on cultural identity.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ephratah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Ephratah. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ephratah was first seen in the United States in 2013.
Ephratah has ranked as high as #1356 nationally, which occurred in 2013, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Ephratah has been trending about the same compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Ephratah 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 Ephratah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Ephratah
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
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 Ephratah.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2013 | 6 |