Ephraim Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Ephraim is a Hebrew name meaning 'fruitful'. It has evolved from the Hebrew 'Efrayim' to the English form 'Ephraim'. The name is biblically significant as one of Joseph's sons and represents prosperity. It has been used historically in Jewish and Christian contexts and remains a popular choice today.
The name Ephraim is most popular in Utah, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Ephraim has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, falling for male in South, falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Ephraim' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1137th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1635th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1630th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1386th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1387th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1211th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 953rd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Ephraim' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Ephraim"
Pronunciation
/ˈiːfreɪ.ɪm/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Ephraim comes from the Hebrew word 'Efrayim', which means 'fruitful'. It is derived from the root word 'פרה' (parah), meaning 'to be fruitful or multiply'.
Meaning
fruitful
Language Evolution
Efrayim (Hebrew), Ephraim (Latinized form), Ephraim (English)
Biblical Background
Ephraim is a significant biblical name, belonging to one of the sons of Joseph and Asenath, and is often associated with the tribe of Ephraim in the Old Testament.
Historical Usage
Ephraim gained popularity as a given name in Christian communities, particularly due to its biblical roots. It has been used throughout history, especially in Jewish and Christian traditions.
Variants & Derivatives
Efrain, Efraim, Ephraime
Modern Popularity & Image
Ephraim is viewed positively, often associated with qualities of fertility, prosperity, and divine blessing. Its biblical significance contributes to its continued use in various cultures.
Famous People
Ephraim Zimbalist Jr. - American actor, Ephraim the Syrian - Christian theologian and hymnographer
Explore More Ephraim Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Ephraim"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Ephraim"
"Ephraim" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1137th of 7545 | 613 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1635th of 6773 | 340 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1630th of 7552 | 440 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1386th of 10718 | 615 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1387th of 16616 | 978 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1211th of 24088 | 2,081 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 953rd of 23106 | 2,719 |
Regional Popularity of "Ephraim" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
44.96% 620th/1379 |
81.45% 1927th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
53.21% 828th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
33.83% 822nd/2430 |
- |
60.61% 1682nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
60.98% 1791st/2937 |
22.14% 771st/3483 |
64.38% 2265th/3518 |
37.91% 1533rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
52.13% 1921st/3685 |
17.79% 796th/4475 |
51.44% 2672nd/5194 |
23.22% 1467th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
31.56% 1446th/4582 |
14.41% 744th/5164 |
19.54% 1429th/7313 |
17.77% 1326th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
22.72% 905th/3984 |
15.36% 689th/4487 |
17.47% 1192nd/6822 |
14.53% 912th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Ephraim" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Ephraim"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Ephraim" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.