Find out how popular the first name Ephrim has been for the last 1 years (from 1976 to 1976) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ephrim by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Ephrim is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1976, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ephrim.

The history of the first name Ephrim

The given name Ephrim has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "Ephrayim," which means "doubly fruitful" or "twice fruitful." This name is associated with the biblical figure Ephraim, who was one of the sons of Joseph and the progenitor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

In the Old Testament, the Book of Genesis mentions Ephraim as the younger son of Joseph and his Egyptian wife, Asenath. Ephraim and his brother Manasseh were born in Egypt and were later blessed by their grandfather, Jacob, who adopted them as his own sons. This event is recorded in Genesis 48, where Jacob bestowed a special blessing upon Ephraim, declaring that his descendants would become a multitude of nations.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Ephrim can be found in the biblical account of the Exodus from Egypt. During the journey through the wilderness, the Israelites encountered various challenges, and the tribe of Ephraim played a significant role in these events. The name Ephrim also appears in other ancient Hebrew texts, such as the Book of Joshua and the Book of Judges, where it is associated with leaders and warriors from the tribe of Ephraim.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ephrim. One of the earliest recorded was Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 CE), a deacon, theologian, and hymnographer who is revered as a saint in various Christian traditions. His writings and hymns had a profound influence on the development of Syriac literature and theology.

Another important figure was Ephraim of Antioch (c. 505-546 CE), a Patriarch of Antioch who played a significant role in the Christological controversies of the time. He defended the Chalcedonian definition of Christ's divine and human natures against the Monophysite position.

In the medieval period, Ephraim of Pereyaslavl (1089-1096 CE) was a prominent Russian prince who ruled the principality of Pereyaslavl-Khmelnytskyi. He is remembered for his military campaigns against the Polovtsian nomads and his efforts to defend the southern borders of Kievan Rus'.

During the Renaissance, Ephraim Lessing (1729-1781 CE) was a German writer, philosopher, and critic who made significant contributions to the fields of literature, drama, and aesthetics. His works, such as the play "Nathan the Wise," promoted religious tolerance and enlightenment ideals.

More recently, Ephraim Katzir (1916-2009 CE) was an Israeli biophysicist and the fourth President of Israel, serving from 1973 to 1978. He made important contributions to the field of biophysics and was a prominent figure in the scientific community.

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 Ephrim was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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