"strong, powerful"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Ezra
Pronunciation: [ EHZR-uh ]
Boy Name
#13 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
A biblical sage with modern edge
Jewish
American
English
Vintage
Literary
Strong
Spiritual
Minimalist
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Ezra
Ezra comes from the Hebrew word meaning to help or to aid. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of a revered priest and scribe who led a group of Israelites from Babylon back to Jerusalem around 458 BCE. Ezra's mission was to restore Jewish law and identity after the Babylonian exile, making him a towering figure in Jewish history and giving this name deep spiritual resonance.
Ezra surged in popularity in the US starting in the 2010s, propelled by its Old Testament gravitas and the cultural cache of actor Ezra Miller and indie musician Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend. It climbed from outside the top 200 in 2000 to the top 20 by the early 2020s.
In Jewish tradition, Ezra the Scribe is credited with canonizing the Torah and establishing the synagogue as a center of Jewish life. In Christian tradition, the Book of Ezra is part of the Old Testament canon. The name carries deep spiritual weight across both traditions.
Fun Facts
- The Book of Ezra describes his leading many Israelites out of Babylonian captivity back to Jerusalem
- Ezra is credited by Jewish tradition with assembling much of the Hebrew Bible in its current form
- The name re-entered mainstream US popularity largely through the indie music and arts scene of the 2010s
Ezra in Other Languages
Greek
Έσδρας
Arabic
عزرا
French
Esdras
Hebrew
עֶזְרָא
Spanish
Esdras
Famous People Named Ezra
E
Ezra Miller
Actor
1992
American actor known for The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Flash
E
E
E
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #13
- Total SSA Count
- 8,774
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ez
Pairs Well With
Ezra James
Ezra Cole
Ezra Thomas
Ezra Bennett
Ezra River
Ezra John
Ezra Miles
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Ezra is also used as a girl name, ranked #705.
View Ezra as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ezra
What does the name Ezra mean?
"strong, powerful" (from Hebrew). Ezra comes from the Hebrew word meaning to help or to aid. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of a revered priest and scribe who led a group of Israelites from Babylon back to Jerusalem around 458 BCE. Ezra's mission was to restore Jewish law and identity after the Babylonian exile, making him a towering figure in Jewish history and giving this name deep spiritual resonance.
What is the origin of the name Ezra?
Ezra has Hebrew, Jewish, American, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "strong, powerful".
Is Ezra a boy or girl name?
Ezra is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #13. As a girl name, it is ranked #705. Ezra is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Ezra?
Ezra is pronounced EHZR-uh.
How popular is the name Ezra?
Ezra is currently ranked #13 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ezra?
Common nicknames for Ezra include Ez.
What are good middle names for Ezra?
Popular middle name pairings include Ezra James, Ezra Cole, Ezra Thomas, Ezra Bennett, Ezra River, Ezra John, and Ezra Miles.
What are good sibling names for Ezra?
Names that pair well with Ezra as siblings include Asher, Silas, Iris, Violet, Levi, Nora, and Judah.
How many syllables does Ezra have?
Ezra has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ezra a common or rare name?
Ezra is a very popular name, ranked #13 among boy names in the United States.
About the Name Ezra
Ezra is a boy name with Jewish, American, and English origins . The name means "strong, powerful" in Hebrew .
Is Ezra a boy or girl name? Ezra is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #13 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #705. Ezra is more commonly used as a boy name.
Ezra is currently ranked #13 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Ezra has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHZR-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ezra include Ez. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ezra include Ezrah, Ezriel, Ezran, Ezren, Ezrael . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.