Ephraim
/ˈɛf.reɪ.ɪm/noun
A biblical Hebrew name, traditionally borne by one of Joseph’s sons and by the tribe descended from him.
Did you know?In the Hebrew Bible, Ephraim becomes so important that his name is sometimes used poetically for the northern kingdom of Israel itself, showing how a personal name can evolve into a national symbol.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
אֶפְרַיִם (Efrayim)
“Fruitful; name of a son of Joseph and an Israelite tribe”
Ancient Hebrew tradition
Hebrew
אֶפְרָה (ephrāh) / פָּרָה (pārāh)
“To be fruitful, bear fruit”
Septuagint / Greek
Greek
Ἐφραΐμ (Ephraim)
“Transliteration of the Hebrew name”
Latin
Latin
Ephraim
“Biblical proper name used in Latin scripture and tradition”
Modern English
English
Ephraim
“Biblical name and historical/religious proper noun”