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.
I like Ephraim. It isn’t a particular favorite-I’d rather use Eleazer as an obscure Bible name that starts with E, but I do like it. The story about the Zimbalists reminds me-Efrem, Jr. has a daughter named Stephanie-same as me, and since it’s my birthday, I’d to think Abby did this as a tie in for me!
Ephraim sounds like the kind of name that already IS popular or at least rapidly rising.
As you said, there’s so many parents picking “soundalike” names that many rare names sort of already sound popular.
I have a friend with a Ephraim. He’s a third grader, so he was born in the middle of Everwood’s run. I’m surprised, his brother’s names (Elij@h, Eth@n and Ezeki@l) are pretty popular, so I had assumed Ephraim was rising in popularity as well.
I like Ephraim it’s a nice change of pace. I like Biblical names — I just find it funny that so many parents keep recycling the same few, when there are so many with admirable meanings.
Ephraim’s awesome! I agree with Nook, Ephraim reminds me of Ethan, quite a bit, only I like Ephraim better. Actually, I prefer the spare Efrem best, maybe because Zimbalist Sr. Was a frequent play around my house growing up.
Easily pronounced, not so hard to spell (either way) and absolutely stands out in a crowd, Ephraim rocks! 😀
IS it easily pronounced? I want to say EE-fray-im, but none of the name websites agree with me. Behind The Name lists four different pronunciations: EE-free-im, EE-fr?m, E-free-im, and E-fr?m.
I actually love the name. I’ve been trying to convince my husband of it ever since he nixed the alliterative Gideon G—— from our list. But the pronunciation difficulty does give me pause.
I agree Emmy Jo, I don’t think it’s so easily pronounced. I always thought it was E-fraim (fraim rhyming with Chaim), but after this post I guess it’s more like EE-fraim. Ephraim is a great name, but it’s kind of like Georgiana for me: too many different ways to pronounce it.
I agree, Emmy Jo. My daughter (age 13) has a classmate named Ephraim, and it is pronounced ef-FRY-em. Others pronounce it EF-rem. It appears from my limited exposure to this name, that the first pronunciation is the Hebrew pronunciation and the second is the old-fashioned Protestant pronunciation.
Certainly would make a change from all the Ethans! Same sort of ring.
It’s funny that you say it’s tough to imagine this name on a girl, since the only person I’ve ever met with a version of this name was female. She was, if I recall correctly, from French West Africa, and pronounced her name “ee-fray-eem” (French r). The name isn’t so unlike Miriam/Miryam, so is it really hard to see a little girl Ephraim, nicknamed Effie?
This article has reminded how long it’s been since I read _Johnny Tremain_. I should look into reading it again. . .
There’s also Ephraim Williams – founder of Williams College in Massachusetts. Go Ephs!
My first thought was of Nora Ephron. Not quite the same, but probably shares the same origin.
This and Abram were two names I wanted on the list for my first son, but I didn’t win. 😛
Thank you for featuring Ephraim today. I like its quirkiness.