Ephraim
Ephraim is a Jewish boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Fruitful, doubly fruitful”.
| Meaning | Fruitful, doubly fruitful |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Written as | אֶפְרַיִם |
| Pronunciation | EE-free-əm |
| Tradition | Jewish, Christian |
| Used in | Israel, United States, United Kingdom |
Meaning and origin of Ephraim
Ephraim comes from a Hebrew root meaning 'to be fruitful'; in Genesis Joseph explains it by saying God has made him fruitful in the land of his suffering. Ephraim was Joseph's younger son, and his descendants became one of the tribes of Israel, so central that 'Ephraim' sometimes stands for the whole northern kingdom. The name has been used by Jewish families for centuries and was popular among Puritans. Saint Ephrem the Syrian, a fourth-century hymn writer, carried a Syriac form of it.
Is Ephraim a Jewish name?
Ephraim is a biblical name: the son of Joseph in Genesis 41 and the ancestor of a tribe of Israel. Jewish parents bless their sons on Friday nights with the words 'May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh'.
How popular is Ephraim?
Used in Jewish communities and by some Christian families; rare in the wider population.
Gifts with the name Ephraim
- Ephraim name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Ephraim baby gifts (Amazon)
- Jewish baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Ephraim
Names similar to Ephraim
More Jewish boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ephraim mean?
Ephraim means 'Fruitful, doubly fruitful'. It is of Hebrew origin.
Is Ephraim a Jewish name?
Ephraim is a biblical name: the son of Joseph in Genesis 41 and the ancestor of a tribe of Israel. Jewish parents bless their sons on Friday nights with the words 'May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh'.
How do you pronounce Ephraim?
Ephraim is pronounced EE-free-əm.
Is Ephraim a boy or girl name?
Ephraim is usually a boy name.