Lazarus
Lazarus Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈlæz.ə.ɹəs/
Meaning of Lazarus: Lazarus is the Latinized form of the Greek Lazaros, itself a rendering of the Hebrew name Eleazar, meaning God has helped or God is my help.
The compound combines el (God) and ezer (help), the same root found in names like Eliezer, Azaria, and Ezra. Before the New Testament, Eleazar was the name of Aaron's son, the second High Priest of Israel, giving the root name ancient priestly authority.
In the Gospel of John, Lazarus of Bethany was one of Jesus' closest friends, the brother of Mary and Martha.
What Does Lazarus Mean? Origin & Etymology
When Lazarus died and had been in the tomb for 4 days, Jesus called him back to life, the most dramatic miracle of the Fourth Gospel and the one that directly precipitated the events leading to the Crucifixion.
That story embedded Lazarus permanently in Western culture as the proper name for miraculous return.
A second Lazarus appears in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16, where a poor beggar named Lazarus is rewarded in Abraham's bosom while the wealthy man who ignored him suffers.
This second appearance, in a parable about the reversal of earthly fortune, made Lazarus a resonant name for righteous poverty as well as resurrection, giving it a dual scriptural identity unusual among New Testament names.
The name entered cultural metaphor so completely that to have a Lazarus moment now means to be resurrected in career, reputation, or health, used in political commentary, sports journalism, and medical contexts without requiring any religious explanation.
David Bowie's final album, released 2 days before his death in 2016, was titled Blackstar and included the song Lazarus, a deliberate farewell that activated every layer of the name's resurrection meaning.
As a given name, Lazarus does not appear in recent US SSA top 1000 records, but it has been climbing slowly, peaking around 2018.
Numerology & Symbolism of Lazarus
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Lazarus – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Lazarus
What does the name Lazarus mean?
Lazarus means God has helped, from the Hebrew Eleazar, combining el (God) and ezer (help). Before the New Testament, Eleazar was the name of Aaron's son, the second High Priest of Israel. In the New Testament, Lazarus of Bethany was raised from the dead by Jesus after 4 days in the tomb, giving the name a second, overwhelming meaning: miraculous return, which is how most people encounter the name today.
Who is Lazarus in the Bible?
Two figures named Lazarus appear in the New Testament. Lazarus of Bethany (Gospel of John, chapter 11) was a close friend of Jesus whose resurrection after 4 days became the most dramatic miracle of the Fourth Gospel. A second Lazarus appears in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16), where a poor beggar named Lazarus is rewarded in heaven while the wealthy man who ignored him suffers. Both uses embed the name in themes of reversal and divine intervention.
Where does the name Lazarus come from?
Lazarus has its origins in Hebrew tradition. Names from this linguistic background spread through Europe and into North America over centuries, carrying their original meanings into new cultural contexts.
Is Lazarus used as a given name today?
Lazarus did not appear in 2024 in the US SSA top 1000, but it has been rising slowly, with its most recent peak around 2018. It belongs to the category of bold, weighted biblical names chosen by parents who want something with genuine scriptural depth rather than mere fashion. Names like Ezra, Thaddeus, and Cornelius occupy the same space: never trendy, always meaningful, and rare enough to stand out without being invented.
Is Lazarus a popular name?
Lazarus saw its strongest US popularity around 2018, according to SSA records. It is not among the most common names today, which makes it a distinctive choice for parents who want a name with historical grounding but without high current frequency.
What is the connection between Lazarus and David Bowie's final album?
David Bowie's final album Blackstar, released January 8, 2016, two days before his death from cancer, included the song Lazarus. The song's lyrics describe leaving, looking up from the bottom, and the promise I'll be free, widely understood as Bowie's deliberate farewell to his audience. The choice of Lazarus as the title activated every layer of the name's resurrection meaning, cementing it as one of the most consciously chosen song titles in rock history.
What are names similar to Lazarus?
Names in the same bold biblical tradition include Ezekiel, Thaddeus, Cornelius, and Bartholomew, all New Testament names chosen for their weight rather than their frequency. For parents drawn specifically to the God-helps meaning, Eliezer and Azariah share the same el + ezer Hebrew root. If the resurrection theme is the primary appeal, Christian and Anastasia (both meaning resurrection in their respective traditions) carry the same scriptural moment in different cultural packaging.