Find out how popular the first name Efrat has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Efrat by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Efrat is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Efrat.

The history of the first name Efrat

The name Efrat is of Hebrew origin and dates back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "פרת" (Perat), which means "fruitful" or "fertile". This name is closely associated with the biblical region known as Ephrath, an ancient name for the area around Bethlehem, which was known for its lush greenery and fertile lands.

In the Bible, Ephrath is mentioned in Genesis 35:16 as the place where Rachel, the wife of Jacob, died while giving birth to her second son, Benjamin. The verse states, "And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour." This biblical reference establishes the name's connection to the concept of fertility and childbirth.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Efrat can be found in the Book of Nehemiah, which mentions a man named "Efrat the Netophathite" (Nehemiah 7:28). This suggests that the name was in use among the Israelites during the post-exilic period, around the 5th century BCE.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Efrat. One of the earliest known is Efrat ben Yaakov (born c. 1450 BCE), a figure mentioned in the Midrash (a collection of ancient Hebrew exegetical texts) as a son of the biblical patriarch Jacob.

Another historical figure is Efrat ben Yosef (born c. 1350 BCE), a grandson of Jacob mentioned in the same Midrashic texts. He is said to have been a wise and learned man who helped establish the early Jewish communities in Egypt.

In more recent times, Efrat Levitan (1884-1970) was a Russian-born Israeli painter and educator who played a significant role in the development of modern Israeli art. Her works often depicted scenes from everyday life in the early years of the Jewish settlement in Palestine.

Efrat Shalem (born 1945) is an Israeli author and translator who has written several novels and short story collections, exploring themes of identity, relationships, and the complexities of modern Israeli society.

Efrat Gosh (born 1971) is an Israeli singer and songwriter who has released several successful albums and has been a prominent figure in the Israeli music scene since the 1990s.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Efrat was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Efrat, please contact us.

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