The baby name Ephraim is a strong Biblical possibility that has yet to catch on.
Thanks to Meg for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT’S THE MEANING OF THE NAME EPHRAIM?
This name comes from Hebrew. Efrayim means fruitful.
In the Book of Genesis, Ephraim is the second son of Joseph and his Egyptian wife Asenath. Like his brothers, he’s the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Some stories about the Tribe of Ephraim portray its leader as arrogant. Others describe the exact opposite character.
There’s lots more to this story, but let’s say that Ephraim clearly fits with Biblical baby names like Jacob, Noah, and Joshua – even if it’s never been nearly as popular. Unlike, say, Moses or David, it’s harder for the average person to picture Ephraim.
SUCCESS IN ADVERSITY
While translations vary, Genesis tells us that Joseph chose the name for his son because “God has made me frutiful in the land of my affliction.”
Joseph had been sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. In Egypt – the land of affliction – he rose to prominence by advising the pharaoh wisely. (Think: stockpile grain in years of plenty to hedge against future hardship.)
In a broad sense, the baby name Ephraim suggests overcoming challenges.
EPHRAIM BEYOND THE ANCIENT WORLD
Saint Ephrem the Syrian lived in the 300s. He was a theologian.
There’s also Ephraim of Antioch, whose life dates to the 600s.
This suggests that the name enjoyed some usage beyond the early days. In turn, the saints ensured that the name remained in use.
A long list of notables backs this up – though they’re not necessarily household names.
Famous bearer Ephraim Bull created the Concord grape, and Ephraim Williams’ estate provided the funding for what is now Williams College in Massachusetts.
This reflects a 17th century boomlet in Old Testament names, often chosen by Puritans. There’s something about Ephraim that sounds right at home in colonial America.
Politicians, artists, authors, athletes, and other notables can be found across the centuries.
Pop culture gives us:
- Twilight’s Ephraim Black, great-grandfather to Jacob
- The teenagers in early 2000s teen drama Everwood are named Delia and Ephraim
- It’s the given name of the silversmith in Johnny Tremaine
From Eugene O’Neill’s play Desire Under the Elms to Guillermo del Torro’s film The Strain, creators have used the name time and time again.
Also noteworthy: Ephraim has been used as a surname over the centuries.
EFRAIM, EFREM, EFREN, EFRAIN, EPHRAM
The first name Ephraim comes with multiple spellings. The PH is sometimes F; it can end with an M or an N.
One famous bearer of the name Efrem: composer Efrem Zimbalist. Born in Russia, he immigrated to the United States in the 1910s. He’s credited with helping to popularize classical music in his adopted country.
Efrem Zimbalist Jr. became a popular television actor on mid-twentieth century staples like Maverick and 77 Sunset Strip.
During the 1950s and 60s, the father-son duo helped push Efrem into the US Top 1000. It didn’t last, but they get credit for a spike in use.
Jewish name site Kveller also lists the spelling Efrum, but that version has never appeared in the US data. (Though Efrum might be the closest spelling to the name’s pronunciation.)
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME EPHRAIM?
All those variations make it tough to pin down Ephraim. Is it among the more popular names in the US?
Ephraim has ranked in the Top 1000 American baby names just fifteen times since the year 1900. Nine of those have been in the twenty-first century. As of 2023, the baby name Ephraim ranks #992.
The Spanish form, Efren, debuted in the US Top 1000 in 1966, and was more popular for the second half of the twentieth century. It last charted in 2007, though.
Plenty of the other spellings are found in the US data in small numbers, too.
ABUNDANCE and TRADITION
Overall, Ephraim might be perfect name for parents seeking a mix of strong meaning and traditional appeal.
Like etymology is clear, but “fruitful” can suggest prosperity and abudance. It’s a hopeful, simple meaning.
It works for parents looking at traditional Hebrew baby names. There’s a hint of new world Americana, too, like Old Testament choices Ezra or Elijah.
If you’re looking for an uncommon choice for a son with a clear historical origin and plenty of depth, Ephraim might be worth a closer look.
What do you think of the baby name Ephraim?
This post was published on Aug 22, 2011 and updated Apr 21, 2012 and again on November 12, 2024.
Our first child’s name is Ephraim. We pronounce it “eF-rum”. I always tell people F as in the letter and rum like the liquor.
I love it, too. My husband has an old friend named Ephraim.
I LOVE, Love, love Ephraim. It is probably one of my favorite boy names ever.
I’ve been in love with it since I was a little girl. There is an Ephraim on Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. All seven brothers have Biblical names in alphabetical order- Adam, Benjamin, Caleb, Daniel, Ephraim, Frankincense, and Gideon. I was obsessed with that movie when I was younger.
If I am ever lucky enough to have another son he’ll have a pretty good chance of being a little Ephraim.
I LOVE Ephraim! Like you Meg I fell in love with it like Gideon watching Seven Brides for Seven Brothers 😀
When our fourth was born, my husband looked at him and said “I think he’s an Ephraim.” But a few hours later, he wasn’t so sure, and three days later, we were still undecided. Then I mentioned a great-great-grandfather of mine named Rasmus, and that’s what we chose. In retrospect, as much as I like the name Ephraim, I don’t think I would have been too happy to discover there was a Twilight character with the same name. Ephram is quite nice, too.