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Ephraim Boy

Popularity: #696 · Trend: → Stable

Origin(s)

PronunciationEF-rye-um / ˈɛf.reɪ.ɪm

Hebrew

Meaning

Hebrew: fruitful; doubly fruitful

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ephraim has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the name אֶפְרָיִם (Efrayim), which is believed to mean "fruitful" or "double fruit." This etymology reflects the biblical narrative where Ephraim was the second son of Joseph and Asenath, as recounted in the Book of Genesis. The name entered the Greek lexicon as Εφραίμ (Ephraim) and was subsequently adopted into Latin, maintaining its form and meaning. The transition into Old French and then into Middle English preserved the name's phonetic qualities, leading to its current English form.

Historically, Ephraim is significant in the context of the Hebrew Bible, where the tribe of Ephraim became one of the most prominent tribes of Israel, often associated with strength and leadership. The tribe played a crucial role in the history of the Israelites, especially during the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of the monarchy. In the 8th century BCE, the term "Ephraim" was also used poetically in the prophetic literature to refer to the northern kingdom of Israel, highlighting its importance in the socio-political landscape of ancient Israel.

Culturally, Ephraim has resonated through various religious traditions, particularly within Judaism and Christianity. In Christian texts, Ephraim is sometimes symbolically associated with abundance and blessing, reflecting its original meaning. The name has also been borne by several saints, including Saint Ephraim the Syrian, a notable theologian and poet of the 4th century, whose works contributed significantly to early Christian literature. The name's enduring legacy is further exemplified by its use in various liturgical contexts and its presence in religious texts, reinforcing its cultural and spiritual significance.

Trend Summary

Ephraim has seen a steady increase in popularity in the United States over recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Efraim
  • Efrayim

International Variants

  • Efraín (Spanish)
  • Efrayim (Hebrew)

Famous people named Ephraim

Ephraim Kishon was a writer and playwright best known for The Last Train from Berlin, The Double Life of Mr. R., and The Adventures of Mr. K.

Ephraim Zimbalist Jr. was an actor best known for 77 Sunset Strip, The F.B.I., and The Great Escape.

Fictional characters named Ephraim

Ephraim is a fictional character from the video game series Fire Emblem. He is a prince and a skilled tactician who plays a crucial role in the story of Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ephraim was first seen in the United States in 1880. Ephraim has ranked as high as #1126 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, and Utah. In the past 5 years the name Ephraim has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Ephraim (2024)

StateBirthsShare
NY 19
11%
PA 18
10%
TX 16
9%
CA 12
7%
UT 12
7%
NC 8
5%
MA 7
4%
MD 7
4%
ID 6
3%
IL 6
3%
IN 6
3%
OH 6
3%
FL 6
3%
GA 6
3%
NE 5
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188018
188115
188210
188314
188412
188511
188614
188710
188816
18897
189011
18916
18928
18939
18949
189510
18979
18988
18996
19008
190210
19048
19065
19077
19087
19098
19106
191113
191220
191326
191436
191540
191630
191739
191838
191927
192036
192142
192236
192345
192434
192536
192638
192726
192830
192925
193029
193119
193217
193327
193422
193515
193615
193710
19388
193924
194015
194110
194222
194320
194417
194515
194619
194718
194818
194923
195018
195129
195223
195314
195419
195524
195633
195729
195820
195919
196034
196127
196225
196328
196420
196527
196616
196730
196830
196921
197039
197139
197240
197337
197454
197541
197652
197757
197833
197947
198052
198149
198265
198355
198455
198561
198659
198770
198861
198973
199058
199161
199258
199357
199471
199557
199668
199768
199869
199967
200094
200172
200288
2003114
2004144
2005146
2006150
2007152
2008179
2009184
2010181
2011174
2012199
2013210
2014229
2015231
2016254
2017260
2018223
2019221
2020210
2021228
2022201
2023223
2024229