"God has helped"
Lazarus
Pronunciation: [ l-AZ-er-uhs ]
The ultimate comeback name — raised from the dead
Meaning & Origin
"my God is help"
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with death and resurrection in Christian contexts
The Story of Lazarus
Lazarus is the Latinized form of Eleazar (אֶלְעָזָר), a Hebrew name meaning 'God has helped' or 'God is my help.' It appears twice in the New Testament — most famously as the man Jesus raised from the dead in the Gospel of John (chapter 11), and also as the poor man in Jesus's parable of the rich man. The name has carried powerful resurrection symbolism through Christian history.
Lazarus has historically been rare as a given name due to its strong association with death, but it is enjoying a revival among parents seeking unusual biblical names. The trend toward bold, uncommon Old Testament and New Testament names has brought Lazarus into conversation alongside Ezra, Tobias, and Barnabas.
In Christian theology, the raising of Lazarus is considered one of Jesus's greatest miracles and a prefiguration of the resurrection. The name 'Lazarus' has entered the English language as a metaphor for miraculous revival, making it a name with profound cultural weight.
Fun Facts
- The phrase 'raising a Lazarus' has entered English as a metaphor for any miraculous recovery
- Lazarus Sunday is celebrated in Eastern Orthodox and some other Christian traditions the week before Palm Sunday
- The name inspired David Bowie's final album 'Lazarus' (2016), released days before his death
Lazarus in Other Languages
Famous People Named Lazarus
Lazaro Arbos
Entertainer
1991
Cuban-American singer who gained fame on American Idol Season 12
Emma Lazarus
Writer
1849
American poet who wrote 'The New Colossus,' the sonnet inscribed on the Statue of Liberty's pedestal
Lazarus of Bethany
Religious
Biblical figure raised from the dead by Jesus in the Gospel of John; one of the most famous miracles in the New Testamen...
Biblical figure raised from the dead by Jesus in the Gospel of John; one of the most famous miracles in the New Testament
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,337
- Total SSA Count
- 143
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Christian English Greek
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lazarus
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About the Name Lazarus
Lazarus is a boy name with Jewish, Christian, English, and Greek origins . The name means "God has helped" in Hebrew .
Lazarus is currently ranked #1,337 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Lazarus has 3 syllables and is pronounced l-AZ-er-uhs, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Lazarus include Laz and Larry. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Lazarus include Lazaro, Lazar . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.