Ezra
Ezra Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
EZ-rah
Meaning of Ezra: Ezra derives from the Hebrew root ʾazar, meaning to help or assist. The root appears in cognate forms across Aramaic, Ugaritic, and Arabic, confirming the name’s deep Semitic antiquity. It has been in continuous documented use for over 2,500 years.
The biblical Ezra was a priest, scribe, and legal expert who led a group of Jewish exiles from Babylon back to Jerusalem around 458 BCE. He is credited with establishing the public reading of the Torah, a foundational act for Jewish religious practice that secured his place in scripture.
The Book of Ezra in the Hebrew Bible preserves a detailed account of his mission, blending religious reform with administrative precision. The name therefore carries associations with scholarship, spiritual leadership, and cultural restoration across Jewish and Christian traditions alike.
What Does Ezra Mean? Origin & Etymology
In English-speaking countries, Ezra gained early use among Puritans and remained in modest rotation until the 20th century. The American poet Ezra Pound (1885–1972) gave the name literary resonance, though his controversial legacy kept it from mass adoption during the mid-century period.
Ezra re-entered the US top 100 around 2009 and reached rank 13 by 2024 with 8,774 births, a peak year. The SSA records confirm steady annual gains from 2009 onward, with no dip. The etymology records covers the Hebrew root and scriptural context.
How Popular Is Ezra?
Numerology & Symbolism of Ezra
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Ezra – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Ezra
What does the name Ezra mean?
Ezra comes from the Hebrew root ʾazar, meaning “to help” or “helper.” The name has been in continuous use for over 2,500 years and appears across multiple Semitic languages.
Is Ezra a boy or girl name?
Ezra is traditionally a masculine name. In the US, it ranks No. 13 among boy names in 2024, with 8,774 recorded births that year.
How popular is Ezra in the United States?
Ezra ranked No. 13 in the US in 2024, with 8,774 births, its highest recorded position. It entered the top 50 in 2015 and the top 20 by 2020.
What is the biblical significance of the name Ezra?
In the Hebrew Bible, Ezra was a priest and scribe who led Jewish exiles from Babylon back to Jerusalem in the 5th century BCE. He oversaw religious reforms that shaped post-exilic Jewish practice.
What are common nicknames or variants of Ezra?
Ezra has few standard nicknames given its short length. Variant spellings include Esra, used in Turkish and German contexts, and Esdras, the Greek and Latin form found in early Christian texts.
Ezra – Name Variants & Spellings
| Variant | Language |
|---|---|
| Esdras | Greek/Latin |
| Esra | Turkish/German variant |