"strength of God"
Zeke
Pronunciation: [ z-EEK ]
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Short, powerful, and full of Biblical thunder
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Meaning & Origin
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Start comparing →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.
Historical Record
Zeke first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 7,666 babies have been named Zeke in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Zeke is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #732 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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
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See all →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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Zeke
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Zeke
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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.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis