Ofra

Ofra is a Hebrew feminine name meaning "fawn", derived from the same root as the masculine biblical name Ophrah. In the Old Testament, Ophrah appears as both a personal name and a place name (a city in Manasseh), but Ofra itself does not appear in the Bible. The name evokes the young deer, symbolizing grace, gentleness, and beauty.

Etymology and Connection

The Hebrew root ע-פ-ר (ʿ-p-r) commonly relates to dust, but in the context of Ophrah and Ofra, it is associated with the deer. The masculine form Ophrah appears in 1 Chronicles 4:14 as a descendant of Judah, and in Joshua 18:23 as a town within the territory of Benjamin. The name Ofra gained popularity in modern Israel, often linked to the natural landscape and the animal world.

Notable Bearer and Cultural Context

Ofra is also the name of an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, established in 1975. The settlement, located on Route 60 between Jerusalem and Nablus, had a population of over 3,000 in 2024. The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, and Israeli authorities themselves have acknowledged that parts of Ofra are built on privately owned Palestinian land, contrary to Israeli law as well. While the settlement's name derives from the same Hebrew root, it is distinct from the personal name Ofra. Notable bearers include Ofra Haza (1957–2000), an acclaimed Israeli singer and actress with Yemenite Jewish heritage, known for her powerful voice and fusion of traditional and pop music.

Related Forms

Ofra is a feminine name with no common Masculine Forms in English, but its root Ophrah is masculine. The related masculine name Ofer also means "fawn" in Hebrew, making Ofra its feminine equivalent in use.

• Meaning: Fawn
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: First name
• Usage regions: Israel, Jewish diaspora