Ofer

Ofer is a modern Hebrew name derived from the word ofer (עֹפֶר), meaning "fawn" (a young deer) in Hebrew. It is directly related to the Classical Hebrew name Ophrah, which also means "fawn" and appears in the Old Testament as both a personal name and a place name. Ofer is primarily a masculine name in modern Hebrew usage, though its feminine counterpart Ofra is also common in Israel.

The name Ofer has an interesting parallel in the Israeli moshav (agricultural settlement) of Ofer, located south of Haifa in the Hof HaCarmel Regional Council. This village was founded in 1950 by Jewish immigrants from India (mainly Cochin) and Iran. Its Hebrew name was chosen to echo the Arabic name of the site, Ayn Ghazal (meaning "Deer Spring"), which itself was the name of the depopulated Palestinian village whose land was used for the moshav. The moshav's economy is based on farming (cattle, sheep, chickens, vegetables, flowers) and tourism, including a nature trail through nearby caves and forests.

Biblical and Cultural Significance

In the Biblical context, the name Ophrah (עָפְרָה) appears in 1 Chronicles 4:14 as a descendant of Caleb, and also denotes a city in the territory of Manasseh (Joshua 18:23). While the Israelite city of Ophrah may be associated with a location near Shechem, its meaning as "fawn" imbues both Ophrah and its modern variant Ofer with connotations of grace, youth, and wild beauty. In modern usage, Ofer has become a distinctly contemporary Anglo-Hebraic name that retains its vibrant, wildlife-inspired imagery.

• Meaning: "fawn" (young deer)
• Origin: Hebrew; derived from the Biblical name Ophrah
• Type: First name (masculine); also a place name (moshav) in Israel
• Usage regions: Israel primarily; also among Jewish communities worldwide
• Related names: Ophrah (Biblical masculine and place name); Ofra (feminine form)