Origin, Meaning, And History Of Ezra
Ezra is a unique Hebrew name that has been traditionally used for boys. It signifies ‘helper’ or ‘help.’ More importantly, this word is an abbreviation of the phrase Azaryahu in Hebrew, which means ‘Yah helps.’ A related meaning of the name is ‘salvation.’ It is believed that the original, longer name may have been Azaryahu. This term implies ‘God helps’ or ‘God protects.’
This name carries immense biblical significance. This is because Ezra was a prophet in the Old Testament in the 5th century. He played a critical role in the building of Jerusalem again after the Babylonian exile. In the Bible, we find Ezra leading as many as fifteen hundred Israelites out of slavery in Babylon. He brought them back to Jerusalem. So, the name Ezra picked came into popular usage at that time and has been used for thousands of years for boys.
The Book of Ezra is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament. The book lays out the historic beginnings of Judaism, distinct from the ancient Israelite religion that came before it. Ezra the Scribe is the book’s author. Thus, the name Ezra started becoming popular among Jews and Christians after the Bible was published.
Ezra has references in several other languages as well. It is spelled Uzair in Arabic and Esdras in Latin and Greek cultures. The name is read Lezra in some North African cultures. In Slavic languages, it is Ezrin or Ezdrin. Some major derivatives of the name are Azra, Ezera, and Ezrah.
In America, celebrities have sparked the name’s usage by taking it on and choosing it for their sons. For example, both Paul Reiser and Taylor Hanson have named their sons Ezra. Characters by this name also appear in Wilkie Collins’s The Moonstone and Daniel Deronda by George Eliot. Ezra Mason appears in Illuminae Trilogy, the adult fantasy novel by Jay Kristoff. Another notable reference is Ezra Ezekiel Baxter in the 1946 film, The Yearling.
Ezra
How To Pronounce Ezra?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Ezra in English.
Famous People With The Name Ezra
- Ezra Matthew MillerAmerican actor, best known for his role in We Need to Talk About Kevin
- Ezra Jack KeatsAmerican writer, known for winning the 1963 Caldecott Medal for illustrating The Snowy Day
- Ezra Manning MeekerAmerican pioneer, known as the first mayor of Puyallup, Washington
- Ezra CornellAmerican businessman and politician, known for serving as President of the New York Agriculture Society and as a New York State Senator.
- Ezra KoenigAmerican musician, famous for creating the Netflix animated comedy series Neo Yokio
Ezra On The Popularity Chart
Ezra was not a very popular name up till the early 2000s. Check out these graphs to assess its rise and fall in usage.
Popularity Over Time
The popularity of the name has been massive in recent years. A peak point came in 2021 with 7365 babies per million getting it.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The name’s rank shows an increasing trend from 1986 onwards. From 2007, it started improving consistently.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Ezra
Ezra has a distinctive phonetic quality. Here are similar options to explore.
Popular Sibling Names For Ezra
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Ezra, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Ezra
Find matching brother names for Ezra and create a wonderful team of siblings.
EaswaranEeswar Esrlson Essery Essra Eswar Eswara Eswarapu Ezrah Ezri Girl Sibling Names For Ezra
Looking for some suitable sister names for Ezra? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
AasiraAcira Ahzuro Aisiri Asarat Asaroop Asaroyoma Aseerah Asira Asra Other Popular Names Beginning With E
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter E to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Same Meaning As Ezra
Do you have siblings? In that case, you may want them to give names that mean alike.
Infographic: Know The Name Ezra‘s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name Ezra In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Ezra
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Ezra?
The name Ezra means ‘one who helps others.’
2. What is the origin of the name Ezra?
Ezra has a Hebrew origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Ezra?
Ezra is pronounced as ‘ez-ruh.’
4. Is Ezra a rare name?
No. According to the US Social Security Administration data, 7943 baby boys were named Ezra in 2022, raising it to a rank of 25. This indicates that Ezra is a well-known common name in the US (1).
5. Is Ezra short for Azariah?
No, Ezra is not considered a diminutive of Azariah. Although Ezra and Azariah are biblical names with similar meanings, they are individual names and are not used interchangeably.
6. Is Ezra a unisex name?
Ezra is a traditional name mostly used for boys. It has been used as a masculine name, including that of a skilled priest, since Biblical times.
7. Is Ezra a traditional name or a modern invention?
The name Ezra features in the Holy Bible, which makes it a traditional name. However, it is still a popular choice among parents in countries such as the US, England, and the Netherlands.
References:
- Popularity of name Ezra;
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
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