Zeke

♂ Boy

Pronounced ZEEK /ziːk/High

Meaning: God will strengthen; a short form of Ezekiel, from the Hebrew Yechezkel meaning God strengthens or may God strengthen himHigh

In 30 seconds: Zeke is the punchy one-syllable nickname for Ezekiel meaning God will strengthen, a biblical name pared to its essence, full of Z-initial energy and carrying the prophetic gravitas of one of the Old Testament's longest books.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningGod will strengthen; a short form of Ezekiel, from the Hebrew Yechezkel meaning God strengthens or may God strengthen him

U.S. rank (2025)#803 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births311 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 8,366

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Zeke is a short form of Ezekiel, from the Hebrew Yechezkel, composed of Yah (Yahweh) and chazaq (to strengthen), giving God will strengthen or may God make strong. Ezekiel was a major Hebrew prophet exiled to Babylon in 597 BC, whose visions of divine chariots, dry bones, and the new Temple constitute one of the most theologically complex books of the Old Testament.

Zeke as a standalone given name emerged in the United States in the 20th century, reflecting the broader American trend of using one-syllable nicknames as full names. It has been used in both religious communities that value biblical names and in broader American culture where its Z-initial pop and cowboy feel appeal to a wide range of parents.

Did you know? The Book of Ezekiel contains some of the most visually striking imagery in all of scripture, including the famous wheel-within-a-wheel vision (Ezekiel 1) that has been interpreted as everything from divine chariot mysticism to, in some modern readings, ancient encounters with unidentified flying objects.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — Zeke — Hebrew etymology and biblical referenceU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

EzekielZeekEzeke

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Zeke…

Eli— same short one/two-syllable biblical Hebrew name standing as a full given name

Asa— shares the crisp short Old Testament name quality

Ezra— same Hebrew prophetic name tradition in a short, energetic package

Slade— same bold one-syllable first-name energy with a frontier feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Zeke mean?

Zeke means God will strengthen, as a short form of Ezekiel, from the Hebrew Yechezkel.

How do you pronounce Zeke?

It is said ZEEK, one syllable.

Is Zeke short for Ezekiel?

Yes, Zeke is the classic nickname for Ezekiel, though it is now also used as a full given name.

Is Zeke a popular name?

Zeke is a rising name in the United States, part of the broader interest in short biblical names and Z-initial names.