Ephraim, pronounce and spelling

MayDayGirl

Dh and I have always liked the name Ephraim and are strongly considering it if our baby is a boy.  But my hangup is the spelling.  It's a little mashed looking to me and I am afraid that it will be mispronounced (we would pronounce it Ef ram)

 

Ephraim is the biblical spelling but there are many variants given on websites/books.  I don't love the idea of going with an "easier" spelling like Efram or Ephram, but I am wondering if we should consider it?

Thoughts? Also, how would you have pronounced it?

kcox123

I would have pronounced it Ef ram. But I did have to pause to think about how I should probably say it.

It's different but not bad. I don't like the Ephram spelling... I like the original best, followed by the very phonetic Efram.

queenbone

I pronounce it the same as you. I'd use the original spelling.

Belle3184

I think most people will know. I love the original spelling.

TarHeels&Rebels

MelRC117:

Don't change the spelling. 98% of people know the "ph" makes the "f" sound. Don't dumb it down.

its E-fruhm to me.

all this.  

RMS112611

MelRC117:

Don't change the spelling. 98% of people know the "ph" makes the "f" sound. Don't dumb it down.

its E-fruhm to me.

 

This.  Love the name BTW! 

mmb248

Joy2611:

I'd pronounce it ef-rem.

Never dumb down the spelling.

This.

Court0026

I have only seen it spelled Ephram.  I would just wonder if people who didn't realize the biblical spelling would pronounce it with a long a sound at the end...Ef Rame.  I like the name a lot and it makes a great sibset for you

flowerx2

its E-fruhm to me.

Love the name. Would use it someday if DH was on board. 

 

zitrone

Keep the Biblical spelling. To me, it loses some biblical significance in the name change (exception being names that are obvious changes due to language like Mary/Marie/Maria or Jean/John). 

I would pronounce it as one PP suggested, ef-rahm. It's not that far off that you should change the spelling.  

BootsyLou

I would pronounce it Eeee-Fram with a long E.  I don't see a need to change the ph to a f. 

led2009

EPHRAIM

GENDER: Masculine USAGE: Biblical, Jewish, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek OTHER SCRIPTS: ????????? (Hebrew), ?f?a?? (Ancient Greek) PRONOUNCED: EE-free-im (English), EE-fr?m (English), E-free-im (English), E-fr?m (English)   [key] Meaning & History From the Hebrew name ????????? ('Efrayim) which meant "fruitful". In the Old Testament, Ephraim is a son of Joseph and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. I've always pronounced it more like the 1st example, with a long E, but from the responses here it looks like I'm in the minority. I think for the most part people will pronounce it like you introduce him. So if you say it the way you want it pronounced when you introduce hi to people, then that's how they'll say it.

Tink112011

I like the name and wouldn't change the spelling.  I pronounce it Eff-rum

brooksidebride

I pronounce it as Eff-rum.

I first came across this name about 10 years ago from the tv series Everwood.  I loved it right away and always have.  I always assumed the character's name was spelled Ephram, and I just looked it up on IMDB to confirm.

So, I like the Ephram spelling.   And I think it would help ensure the proper pronunciation, as Ephraim might lead you to pronounce it as Eff-rame (ending rhyming with rain).

LuckyMissus

I pronounce it Eff-rum.  And pretty pretty please don't change the spelling!! People will get it.

MrMrsandBaby

brooksidebride:

I pronounce it as Eff-rum.

I first came across this name about 10 years ago from the tv series Everwood.  I loved it right away and always have.  I always assumed the character's name was spelled Ephram, and I just looked it up on IMDB to confirm.

So, I like the Ephram spelling.   And I think it would help ensure the proper pronunciation, as Ephraim might lead you to pronounce it as Eff-rame (ending rhyming with rain).

Every word of this, down to the show (I loved Everwood!)

mkhardy

This

msmerymac

Tink112011:

I like the name and wouldn't change the spelling.  I pronounce it Eff-rum

 

This is how I pronounce it as well. I would keep the original spelling. 

blu-eyedwife

I only know this word from reading it in Hebrew (Passover Haggadah) and pronounce it completely differently than any here.  ????????? The first letter has a vowel sound of "eh" and pairs with the second letter which is the equivalent of "f" so the first syllable is "Ef"  The third letter is the equivalent of "r" with a vowel sound of "ah" under it, making the second syllable "Rah."  The fourth letter is the equivalent of "y" with a vowel sound of "ee" under it and pairs with the final mem "m" at the end.  This makes the third syllable "Yeem."  I've always pronounced it as such - "ef-rah-yeem"

 

oliversbear

With the Ephraim spelling, I would tend towards the Eff-rye-im pronunciation.

It I wanted the Eff-ram/Eff-rem pronunciation, I would spell it Efrem, like Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.

For either pronunciation, Ephram looks wrong to me.