Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ephraim
BoyHebrew· “fruitful”
- Meaning
- fruitful
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- EE-free-uhm
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #988
- US babies 2025
- 231
- Best rank
- #407 (1880)
- Peak year
- 2017
Meaning and origin of Ephraim
Ephraim is a Hebrew name that means “fruitful”.
Ephraim comes from Hebrew and means fruitful. In the Book of Genesis he is the younger son of Joseph, born in Egypt, and he became the ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel. The name was later used for the northern kingdom as a whole in several prophetic books. Saint Ephrem the Syrian, a fourth-century hymn writer, carried a form of it into Christian tradition. In English-speaking countries Ephraim was used by Puritans and has a scholarly, old-world feel today. It offers a distinctive alternative to more common biblical names, and it can be shortened to Eph or Ephie.
Popularity over time
Ephraim has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 36 different years. Its best national rank was #407 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 2017, when 260 were named Ephraim. In 2025, 231 babies were named Ephraim, and it ranked #988 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,213 in 1920, #1,762 in 1950, #1,299 in 1980, #1,354 in 2000, #1,061 in 2010, and #988 in 2025. Of the 8,236 US boys named Ephraim since records began, 26% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 1,328 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Riaan, Brysen, Achilles, Merrick, and Benton.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ephraim ranked highest in Idaho, Utah, and Pennsylvania.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho | #346 | 7 |
| Utah | #388 | 12 |
| Pennsylvania | #586 | 16 |
| New York | #590 | 26 |
| Indiana | #635 | 10 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Ephraim is usually pronounced EE-free-uhm, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with E and ends in “-im”.
Middle names for Ephraim
A few middle names that flow with Ephraim: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ephraim
Similar names
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Lists that include Ephraim
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ephraim mean?
Ephraim is a Hebrew name that means “fruitful”.
What is the origin of the name Ephraim?
Ephraim has Hebrew roots. Ephraim comes from Hebrew and means fruitful.
Is Ephraim a popular name?
Yes. Ephraim ranked #988 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Ephraim a boy or girl name?
Ephraim is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Ephraim?
Ephraim is usually pronounced EE-free-uhm. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings