Keziah
Keziah Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/kə.ˈzaɪ.ə/
Meaning of Keziah: Keziah derives from Hebrew Qetsiʿa, referring to cassia — a fragrant spice from the bark of Cinnamomum cassia, related to cinnamon.
Cassia appears in Exodus 30:24 as an ingredient in sacred anointing oil and in Psalm 45:8 in descriptions of paradise. The name carries connotations of fragrance and sacred beauty.
Keziah is one of Job’s 3 daughters, named after his restoration to prosperity. Job 42:15 records that Jemimah, Keziah, and Keren-happuch were the most beautiful women in the land, and that their father gave them inheritance alongside their brothers — an unusual provision symbolizing restored blessing and female dignity.
What Does Keziah Mean? Origin & Etymology
Puritan settlers brought the name to New England in the 17th century, where it appears in colonial records alongside other Job-family names like Jemimah. It remained a rare Biblical name through most of American history, surfacing periodically in deeply religious communities before its current revival.
Keziah has 3 syllables: keh-ZY-uh. The kez- opening is phonetically unusual among common English names, making it easy to remember and easy to recognize. Its spice-based meaning is genuinely evocative and distinct from the virtue or place meanings that dominate Old Testament naming.
Keziah ranked No. 863 in the US in 2024 with 374 births. It has climbed since around 2015, driven by the broader trend toward rare, meaningful Old Testament names that carry historical depth without high saturation. Further reading: etymology records and US popularity records from SSA.
Numerology & Symbolism of Keziah
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Keziah – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Keziah
What does the name Keziah mean?
Keziah derives from Hebrew Qetsiʿa, meaning cassia — a fragrant bark spice from the tree Cinnamomum cassia, related to cinnamon. Cassia appears in Exodus 30:24 as an ingredient in sacred anointing oil and in Psalm 45:8 in a description of paradise. The name therefore carries connotations of fragrance, warmth, and sacred beauty.
Who was Keziah in the Bible?
Keziah is one of Job’s 3 daughters, named in Job 42:14 alongside her sisters Jemimah and Keren-happuch. All 3 were named after Job’s restoration to prosperity following his trials. Job 42:15 specifically notes that these daughters were the most beautiful women in the land and that Job gave them inheritance equal to their brothers, which was unusual for the period.
How popular is Keziah in the United States?
Keziah ranked No. 863 in the US in 2024 with 374 births. It has climbed steadily since around 2015, driven by the broader revival of rare Old Testament names with distinctive sounds and meaningful etymologies. Its 2024 ranking is its highest on SSA records, suggesting ongoing upward momentum.
How do you pronounce Keziah?
Keziah is pronounced keh-ZY-uh, with primary stress on the second syllable. It has 3 syllables. The kez- opening is phonetically unusual among common English names, making it easy to remember and distinctive to hear. The name also appears spelled Kezia (dropping the final h), which carries the same pronunciation.
What names are similar to Keziah?
Old Testament names with a similar feel for rare Biblical choices include Jemimah (Job’s other daughter), Tirzah, Abiah, and Selah. Names with the same spice and nature etymology in different traditions include Cassia (the Latin form of the same word), Saffron, and Zinnia. Parents drawn to Keziah often also consider Miriam, Deborah, or Hadassah for the same depth of Hebrew heritage.