A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Ezel since 1913
Babies named Ezel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2018, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ezel's real moment was 1913.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 47 |
| 1920s | 55 |
| 1930s | 32 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 11 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 79 |
| 2020s | 40 |
Meaning & origin
Ezel is a rare biblical name with a distinctive sound and deep historical roots. First recorded in the U.S. in 1913, the name reached its peak popularity that same year, ranking #10,695 with fewer than 5 births. After more than a century of near-invisibility, Ezel has been experiencing a modest resurgence since 2008, though it remains one of the least common names on record. Its biblical connection to the stone of testimony between David and Jonathan gives it a unique narrative for parents seeking an Old Testament name that is neither widely used nor frequently heard. The name's trajectory as a rising rarity is especially striking: in its modern revival, from 2008 onward, the number of boys named Ezel each year has been estimated at fewer than 10, making it a truly distinctive choice.
Ezel appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of a stone where David met Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:19). The word likely denotes a 'stone' or 'boundary marker,' but its exact derivation is debated. The name saw occasional use as a given name in the 20th century, possibly inspired by the biblical reference. It has never been common; its U.S. usage peaked in 1913 with fewer than 5 births that year.
“Ezel” around the world
Where Ezel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
35
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ez
Sibling names for Ezel
Names that share Ezel's style, for a brother or sister.
