Surname Efron - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Efron: What does the surname Efron mean?
The last name Efron is of Jewish Ashkenazi origin, derived from the Hebrew name Ephron which appears in the Bible. In its biblical context, Ephron the Hittite was the person who sold his field and cave in Machpelah to Abraham, who wanted it as a burial place for his wife Sarah. The name Ephron (or Efron) itself is said to mean "fawn" or "young deer" in Hebrew. Over time, with Ashkenazi Jews adopting surnames, Ephron was anglicised or Ashkenazified to Efron. Therefore, the surname Efron indicates a Jewish background and might have signified a characteristic of the original bearers of the name, suggesting that they were innocent, delicate, or agile, like a fawn. Today, the most famous person carrying this surname is the American actor Zac Efron.
Order DNA origin analysisEfron: Where does the name Efron come from?
The surname Efron is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is derived from the Hebrew name Ephron, which appears in the Old Testament of the Bible. The name Ephron is associated with a Hittite, who sold a piece of land, including a cave, to Abraham as a burial place for his wife Sarah. As with many Jewish surnames, it is believed to have been adopted as a family name during the period when the Austro-Hungarian Empire required Jews to adopt permanent family names for census purposes in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Today, the surname Efron is most common in the United States, where there is a significant Ashkenazi Jewish population. A noticeable bearer of the name is the American actor, Zac Efron. Although it is a Jewish surname, it is uncommon in Israel since many Hebrew names were "modernized" or Hebraized as a part of the Zionist movement in the 19th and 20th centuries. Nonetheless, it is still found among Jews in various parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Efron
The surname "Efron" has a Hebrew origin and could be spelled in various ways depending on the language and the way it is pronounced in different parts of the world. Some potential spellings and variants of the same surname could include Ephron, Ephraim, Efrem, Efren, Efronim, Efran, Afron, and Efroni. The Efroni version especially is common in Israel, deriving from the Hebrew word 'Efroni'. Ephraim and Efrem could also be first names. Similarly, the name can have different endings like 'Efronovich' or 'Efronov', which are common in Slavic countries like Russia and Ukraine. The surname might have variations due to transliterations from Hebrew to other languages. It is also important to note that variations could come up when names are Anglicized or inserted into other cultures. Please note that not everyone with these variations is related as these could be patronymic or geographic in some cases. Notably, the surname Efron draws international recognition due to the American actor Zac Efron.
Famous people with the name Efron
- Zac Efron: An American actor and singer who gained popularity with his breakthrough role in the Disney Channel film series "High School Musical". He has since appeared in films such as "The Greatest Showman", "Baywatch", and "Hairspray".
- Dylan Efron: The younger brother of Zac Efron, Dylan has gained recognition in his own right. He has worked in films behind the scenes and is also known for his athletic pursuits.
- Starla Baskett Efron: Mother of Zac and Dylan Efron, Starla is often acknowledged in media due to the fame of her sons. She worked as a secretary at a power plant. The Efron family as a whole has a level of fame due to Zac Efron's popularity. While not all members are as prominent, the family name is well-recognized in Hollywood.