Zeke

Pronunciation: [ z-EEK ]

Boy Name #732 Most Popular Rising 1 Syllable

Short, powerful, and full of Biblical thunder

Hebrew American Christian

Bold Modern Strong Playful Unique

Meaning & Origin

"strength of God"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

The Story of Zeke

Zeke is a nickname and shortened form of Ezekiel, from the Hebrew 'Yechezkel' meaning 'God will strengthen' or 'strength of God.' Ezekiel was one of the major prophets of the Hebrew Bible, receiving elaborate visions of God's glory (the famous 'wheel within a wheel'). As a standalone name, Zeke has been used in American culture since the 19th century, particularly in rural and frontier communities.

Zeke entered the US top 1000 as a standalone name in 2014 and has climbed steadily since, reflecting the trend toward short, punchy names with strong sounds. It benefits from the popularity of its full form Ezekiel while offering a more casual, energetic feel.

In American folk tradition, Zeke was a quintessential 'country' name. In pop culture it's been reinvented as cool and contemporary. Ezekiel/Zeke appears in hip-hop and urban culture through artists and athletes, giving it a cross-cultural appeal.

Fun Facts

Ezekiel's vision of the 'wheel within a wheel' in the Bible (Ezekiel 1:16) inspired the African-American spiritual 'Ezekiel Saw the Wheel'
Zeke first appeared as a standalone name in US records in the 1880s, making it a century-old American nickname

Zeke in Other Languages

Arabic حزقيال

French Ézéchiel

Hebrew יְחֶזְקֵאל

Italian Ezechiele

Spanish Ezequiel

Famous People Named Zeke

Zeke Elliott (Ezekiel Elliott)

Athlete

1995

American NFL running back who played for the Dallas Cowboys, known for his powerful rushing style

Zeke (The Walking Dead) Fictional

Other

Ezekiel, charismatic leader of the Kingdom community in AMC's 'The Walking Dead,' known for his theatrical personality a...

Ezekiel, charismatic leader of the Kingdom community in AMC's 'The Walking Dead,' known for his theatrical personality and pet tiger Shiva

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #732
Total SSA Count: 358
Cultural Origins: Hebrew American Christian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Zekiel #3352 Zekiah #4165 Zekai #4819

Pairs Well With

Zeke James Zeke Thomas Zeke Aaron Zeke David Zeke Cole Zeke River Zeke Elijah

Sibling Names

Eli Asher Silas Ezra Wren Micah Lyra

Similar Names

Jack Mack Mac Zach Zackery Zac Izaak

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Zeke

What does the name Zeke mean?

"strength of God" (from Hebrew). Zeke is a nickname and shortened form of Ezekiel, from the Hebrew 'Yechezkel' meaning 'God will strengthen' or 'strength of God.' Ezekiel was one of the major prophets of the Hebrew Bible, receiving elaborate visions of God's glory (the famous 'wheel within a wheel'). As a standalone name, Zeke has been used in American culture since the 19th century, particularly in rural and frontier communities.

What is the origin of the name Zeke?

Zeke has Hebrew, American, and Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "strength of God".

Is Zeke a boy or girl name?

Zeke is primarily used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Zeke?

Zeke is pronounced z-EEK.

How popular is the name Zeke?

Zeke is currently ranked #732 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Zeke?

Popular middle name pairings include Zeke James, Zeke Thomas, Zeke Aaron, Zeke David, Zeke Cole, Zeke River, and Zeke Elijah.

What are good sibling names for Zeke?

Names that pair well with Zeke as siblings include Eli, Asher, Silas, Ezra, Wren, Micah, and Lyra.

How many syllables does Zeke have?

Zeke has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Zeke a common or rare name?

Zeke is moderately common, ranked #732 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Zeke

Zeke is a boy name with Hebrew, American, and Christian origins . The name means "strength of God" in Hebrew .

Zeke is currently ranked #732 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Zeke has 1 syllable and is pronounced z-EEK, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Alternative spellings of Zeke include Zekiel, Zekiah, Zekai . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.