Ephrata

Meaning & origin

Ephrata emerged as a given name in the U.S. in 2007, and its usage has remained among the rarest of recorded names. In 2021, fewer than 1 in 321,453 baby girls received the name, placing it at rank 14,942. Its peak year to date was 2018, though it has been rising in frequency since 2021, suggesting a modest upward trajectory for the 2020s. The name has no confirmed top state associations due to its scarcity, and it has not been recorded for boys. Etymologically, Ephrata likely derives from the biblical name Ephraim, meaning 'fruitful' in Hebrew, though a direct connection is unproven and it may simply be an innovative modern coinage. Its sound and style align with other rare, melodic names ending in 'a' that appeal to parents seeking distinctive yet softly traditional choices.

Ephrata is a rare modern name, first recorded in U.S. data in 2007. It may be a feminized or phonetic variant of the biblical name Ephraim, meaning 'fruitful' in Hebrew. Alternatively, it could be an invented coinage, possibly influenced by place names such as Ephrata, Pennsylvania, which itself derives from the biblical Ephrath (an older name for Bethlehem). There is no well-attested etymology or historical usage pattern for this name.