Ezra

♂ Boy

Pronounced EZ-ruh /ˈɛz.rə/High

Meaning: Help; helper; God is my helpHigh

In 30 seconds: From the Hebrew for 'help,' Ezra was an important biblical scribe and priest. Short and strong, it has risen rapidly to the U.S. top 20 boys' names.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningHelp; helper; God is my help

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 46,250

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Ezra comes from the Hebrew Ezra (עֶזְרָא), derived from the root azar meaning 'to help' or 'helper.' The biblical Ezra was a scribe and religious reformer who led a group of Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem from Babylon around 458 BC and helped re-establish the Mosaic law.

The name was used in Puritan communities and throughout early American history, most famously by the poet Ezra Pound (1885–1972). It remained uncommon in the 20th century but began a sharp ascent in the 2000s, entering the U.S. top 100 around 2009 and the top 20 by the 2020s.

Did you know? The biblical Ezra was a 5th-century BC Jewish scribe and priest who led a return of Jewish exiles from Babylon and played a central role in consolidating the Torah as the foundational law of the Jewish people.

Variations

EsdrasAzra

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

★Ezra Pound (1885–1972)
American poet and critic, a major figure of early modernist literature.
★Ezra Miller (1992–)
American actor known for the Fantastic Beasts and The Flash films.

If you like Ezra…

Levi— fellow short, punchy Hebrew biblical name on the rise

Asher— shares the Old Testament heritage and modern feel

Noah— equally brief biblical name at the top of charts

Elijah— another prophet-era Hebrew name with modern appeal

Silas— same crisp biblical feel with similar vintage-new energy

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ezra mean?

Ezra comes from the Hebrew word azar, meaning 'help' or 'helper,' borne by a revered scribe who helped restore Jewish law after the Babylonian exile.

How do you pronounce Ezra?

Ezra is said EZ-ruh /ˈɛz.rə/ — two syllables, with stress on the first.

Is Ezra a boy or girl name?

Ezra is primarily a boy's name, though it has begun to appear occasionally for girls in recent years.

How popular is Ezra?

Ezra climbed into the U.S. top 20 boys' names by the early 2020s after a rapid rise through the previous decade.