Ephron
Of Hebrew origin, a topographic surname referring to locations with fertile soil.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Ephron. That puts it at #127,494 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Ephron surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#127,494
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
134
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 134 bearers of the surname Ephron in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 127494th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Ephron, the largest self-reported group is Black at 53.0%. The next largest groups are White (43.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Ephron
The surname Ephron is of Hebrew origin and can be traced back to the biblical era. The name is derived from the Hebrew word "aphar," meaning "dust" or "ashes." It is believed to have originated as a descriptive surname, potentially referring to someone who worked with ash or lived in a dusty area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ephron appears in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament. In Genesis 23, Abraham purchases a field and cave from a Hittite named Ephron to use as a burial ground for his wife Sarah. This account provides historical evidence of the name's existence during ancient times.
In the Middle Ages, the name Ephron was found in various records and manuscripts across Europe, particularly in areas with Jewish communities. One notable example is Ephron ben Yaakov, a 12th-century Jewish philosopher and mathematician from Spain.
During the Renaissance period, the surname Ephron gained recognition through individuals like Jehiel Ephron, a 16th-century Italian rabbi and scholar born in Mantua. His works on Jewish law and commentary on the Talmud were highly influential.
In the 17th century, the name Ephron appeared in records from the Netherlands, where a family of that name resided in Amsterdam. One member, Isaac Ephron, was a prominent merchant and philanthropist born in 1618.
Moving into the 18th century, the Ephron surname gained prominence in England. Thomas Ephron, born in 1720, was a noted engraver and printmaker whose works were widely appreciated during his lifetime.
In the 19th century, the name Ephron was associated with literary figures, such as Mikhail Ephron, a Russian poet and translator born in 1852. His works helped popularize Western literature in Russia.
Other notable individuals with the surname Ephron include Phoebe Ephron, an American playwright and screenwriter born in 1914, and her daughters, the acclaimed writers Nora Ephron (1941-2012) and Delia Ephron (born 1944).
These examples illustrate the long and diverse history of the surname Ephron, originating from its Hebrew roots and spanning various regions and time periods, with individuals making significant contributions in fields such as religion, philosophy, art, and literature.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Ephron
Among Census respondents with the surname Ephron, the largest self-reported group is Black at 53.0%. The next largest groups are White (43.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Ephron bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Ephron surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American53.0%
- White43.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Ephron surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #127,494 | #127,494 | 0.0% |
| Count | 134 | 134 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Ephron bearers went from 134 to 134 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #127,494 to #127,494.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Ephron
FAQ
Ephron surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Ephron?
The surname Ephron holds position #127,494 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Ephron surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Ephron, the largest self-reported group is Black at 53.0%. The next largest groups are White (43.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.