"strong, powerful"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Ezra
Pronunciation: [ EHZR-uh ]
Does Ezra flow with your last name?
A biblical sage with modern edge
Jewish
American
English
Vintage
Literary
Strong
Spiritual
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Meaning & Origin
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Ezra
See all →What the Ezra report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Ezra the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Ezra
Ezra comes from the Hebrew word meaning to help or to aid. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of a revered priest and scribe who led a group of Israelites from Babylon back to Jerusalem around 458 BCE. Ezra's mission was to restore Jewish law and identity after the Babylonian exile, making him a towering figure in Jewish history and giving this name deep spiritual resonance.
Ezra surged in popularity in the US starting in the 2010s, propelled by its Old Testament gravitas and the cultural cache of actor Ezra Miller and indie musician Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend. It climbed from outside the top 200 in 2000 to the top 20 by the early 2020s.
In Jewish tradition, Ezra the Scribe is credited with canonizing the Torah and establishing the synagogue as a center of Jewish life. In Christian tradition, the Book of Ezra is part of the Old Testament canon. The name carries deep spiritual weight across both traditions.
Historical Record
Ezra first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 93,632 babies have been named Ezra in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ezra is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #13 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Book of Ezra describes his leading many Israelites out of Babylonian captivity back to Jerusalem
- Ezra is credited by Jewish tradition with assembling much of the Hebrew Bible in its current form
- The name re-entered mainstream US popularity largely through the indie music and arts scene of the 2010s
Ezra in Other Languages
Greek
Έσδρας
Arabic
عزرا
French
Esdras
Hebrew
עֶזְרָא
Spanish
Esdras
Popularity Over Time
#13
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ezra
E
Ezra Miller
Actor
1992
American actor known for The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Flash
E
E
E
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Elias
Boy
"the Lord is my God"
#25
Zachary
Boy
"Yahweh remembers"
#194
Adam
Boy
"man, mankind, human"
#100
Xavier
Boy
"the new house"
#102
Sawyer
Boy
"one who saws wood"
#132
Compare Ezra with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #13
- Total SSA Count
- 8,774
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Ez
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ezra
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Ezra fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Ezra is also used as a girl name, ranked #705.
View Ezra as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Ezra →Compare Ezra with...
Same Origin Names (Jewish)
See all Jewish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Ezra
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Ezra and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Ezra sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Elias
Boy
Greek origin
"the Lord is my God"
#25 in US
Zachary
Boy
Hebrew origin
"Yahweh remembers"
#194 in US
Adam
Boy
Hebrew (adamah, earth) origin
"man, mankind, human"
#100 in US
Xavier
Boy
Basque origin
"the new house"
#102 in US
Sawyer
Boy
Middle English origin
"one who saws wood"
#132 in US
August
Boy
Latin augustus origin
"consecrated; worthy of reverence"
#88 in US
Jordan
Boy
Hebrew origin
"to flow down, descend"
#104 in US
Zayden
Boy
Arabic origin
"growth, abundance (speculative)"
#202 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Ezra's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezra
What does the name Ezra mean?
"strong, powerful" (from Hebrew). Ezra comes from the Hebrew word meaning to help or to aid. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of a revered priest and scribe who led a group of Israelites from Babylon back to Jerusalem around 458 BCE. Ezra's mission was to restore Jewish law and identity after the Babylonian exile, making him a towering figure in Jewish history and giving this name deep spiritual resonance.
What is the origin of the name Ezra?
Ezra has Hebrew, Jewish, American, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "strong, powerful".
Is Ezra a boy or girl name?
Ezra is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #13. As a girl name, it is ranked #705. Ezra is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Ezra?
Ezra is pronounced EHZR-uh.
How popular is the name Ezra?
Ezra is currently ranked #13 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Ezra?
Popular middle name pairings include Ezra James, Ezra Cole, Ezra Thomas, Ezra Bennett, Ezra River, Ezra John, and Ezra Miles.
What are good sibling names for Ezra?
Names that pair well with Ezra as siblings include Asher, Silas, Iris, Violet, Levi, Nora, and Judah.
How many syllables does Ezra have?
Ezra has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ezra a common or rare name?
Ezra is a very popular name, ranked #13 among boy names in the United States.
What boy names are similar to Ezra?
About the Name Ezra
Ezra is a boy name with Jewish, American, and English origins . The name means "strong, powerful" in Hebrew .
Is Ezra a boy or girl name? Ezra is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #13 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #705. Ezra is more commonly used as a boy name.
Ezra is currently ranked #13 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Ezra has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHZR-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ezra include Ez. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ezra include Ezrah, Ezriel, Ezran, Ezren, Ezrael . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
E
Names Starting with E
More boy names like Ezra
Classic Names
Well-known names that stand the test of time
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
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