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Ephraim

♂ Boy

Pronounced EE-frum /ˈiː.frəm/High

Meaning: From Hebrew Efrayim meaning fruitful or doubly fruitful, from the root para meaning to bear fruit; Ephraim was a son of Joseph and the progenitor of one of the twelve tribes of IsraelHigh

In 30 seconds: Ephraim is a venerable Hebrew name meaning fruitful, borne by a son of Joseph and one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Rare but respected, it carries deep biblical resonance and a quietly distinguished character.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningFrom Hebrew Efrayim meaning fruitful or doubly fruitful, from the root para meaning to bear fruit; Ephraim was a son of Joseph and the progenitor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel
U.S. rank (2025)#988 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births231 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 8,228

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201718802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Ephraim appears in the Book of Genesis as the younger son of Joseph and the Egyptian Asenath. Despite being younger, he was blessed before his brother Manasseh by the patriarch Jacob, and his tribe became one of the most significant in ancient Israel.

Ephraim has been in continuous use in Jewish and Protestant Christian communities. The Puritan tradition in colonial America embraced Old Testament names, and Ephraim was used from the 17th century. It remains a distinctively rare but respected choice.

Did you know? The tribe of Ephraim was one of the most prominent among the twelve tribes of Israel. The region of Ephraim — the hill country of the northern Kingdom of Israel — was so central that the northern kingdom was sometimes simply called Ephraim in the Hebrew prophets.
Overall data confidence 92%
Behind the Name — Ephraim — Hebrew etymology and biblical historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

EfraimEfrayim

Nicknames

EphEffie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ephraim…

Ezekiel— shares the powerful Hebrew biblical name with multi-syllable gravitas
Nehemiah— same Old Testament Hebrew name with prophetic weight and rare distinction
Josiah— shares the Hebrew biblical warrior-king tradition and dignified vintage feel
Isaiah— same prophetic Hebrew biblical name with a soft ending and deep resonance

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ephraim mean?

Ephraim means fruitful or doubly fruitful from Hebrew Efrayim, from the root para meaning to bear fruit.

How do you pronounce Ephraim?

It is said EE-frum, with two syllables and stress on the first.

Is Ephraim in the Bible?

Yes, Ephraim was the younger son of Joseph and founder of the Tribe of Ephraim, one of the twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament.

Is Ephraim a common name?

Ephraim is uncommon but has been in use in Jewish and Christian communities for centuries. It is gaining quiet traction among parents who love rare biblical names.