MallowbyNames

Ezra

EZ-ruh · From the Hebrew name Ezra, meaning "help," generally understood as a short form of a longer name such as Azariah, "Yahweh has helped."

2025 rank (boys)
#20
Babies named in 2025
8,126
Peak popularity
2024
2025 frequency
1 in 210 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Rising since 1985

Rising since 1985, #20 for boys today.

Popularity of Ezra since 1880

Babies named Ezra per year in U.S. Social Security records.

2.9k5.9k8.8k1880192019602000Most births 2024Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1880s356
1890s405
1900s304
1910s1,081
1920s1,373
1930s819
1940s574
1950s677
1960s588
1970s1,271
1980s1,755
1990s2,854
2000s8,326
2010s38,650
2020s47,728

Meaning & origin

A scribe's name from the Hebrew Bible, Ezra has traveled from Puritan New England obscurity to the American mainstream. It has appeared in the federal data every year since records began in 1880, but for most of that span it read as antique, the property of nineteenth-century farmers and the poet Ezra Pound. The turn came in the mid-1980s: Ezra has been rising steadily since 1985 and touched its all-time peak in 2024.

As of 2025 it stands at No. 20 nationally, given to about one of every 210 newborn boys. Its geography is striking for a biblical name: rather than clustering in the South, Ezra runs strongest in Wyoming, New Mexico, and Hawaii, suggesting its appeal now has more to do with sound, the fashionable initial vowel and -a ending it shares with Asher, Eli, and Noah, than with any single religious tradition. Parents drawn to it tend to like the same mix of gravity and zip found in Felix, Milo, and August.

Hebrew ʿEzrāʾ derives from a root meaning "help," and most reference works treat it as a shortened form of a theophoric name like Azariah ("Yahweh has helped"). Its defining bearer is the priest and scribe of the biblical Book of Ezra, who led a group of Judean exiles back from Babylon in the fifth century BC and is credited with restoring the Torah to public life. English Puritans adopted it after the Reformation, and it crossed to colonial America, where nineteenth-century bearers such as Ezra Cornell kept it in circulation. It spent most of the twentieth century as a quiet, bookish rarity before beginning a long fashionable climb in the 1980s.

Read more: Ezra on Wikipedia

Where Ezra is most popular

Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k boystoo few births

Ezra” around the world

Where Ezra lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    425

    babies in 2024

  • Ireland

    33

    babies in 2025

  • New Zealand

    #25

    in 2025

  • Quebec

    53

    babies in 2025

  • Australia (NSW)

    #58

    in 2025

Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Ez, Ezzy

Variants: Esra, Ezrah, Esdras

Famous people named Ezra

Sibling names for Ezra

Names that share Ezra's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Hazel, Nora, Iris, Ada, Ruth, Alora, Delilah, Eliana, Maya, Mila, Naomi, Amara, Ariella, Eden, Esther, Nyla, Shiloh, Tabitha, Adina, Alaia, Amayah, Areli, Ariya, Ariyah, Arya, Azaria, Caia, Damaris, Daphne, Effie, Etta, Hosanna, Iva, Izabella, Jael, Jemima, Jenesis, Kaia, Kaiyah, Kala, Kaya, Kehlani, Kora, Kya, Leora, Lettie, Leyna, Lilith, Mercy, Mylah, Navi, Noa, Nyah, Patience, Promise, Remi, Rhea, Salem, Salome, Samara, Selah, Tressa, Yitty, Zayla, Zola, Zya, Adalia, Adhara, Airam, Alasia, Aleeza, Alizae, Alizah, Amariah, Amerie, Amoura, Avie, Avyanna, Aylani, Ayva, Ayvah, Azari, Azia, Bliss, Briza, Daja, Daphney, Devora, Dreama, Elisheva, Eliyah, Eliyanah, Elizah, Emori, Evolet, Ezri, Hermon, Ilah, Ivie, Jhene, Joella, Jovi, Jurnee, Kalista, Kezia, Khalani, Khali, Kimi, Lael, Liyah, Mahala, Mahalia, Malayna, Mayah, Mayla, Mica, Miriah, Nessa, Nilah, Nissa, Novalee, Peri, Rumi, Ryah, Saray, Sayra, Shekinah, Shifra, Sinai, Skylah, Sury, Suzannah, Talitha, Talya, Temple, Teya, Tobi, Vaeda, Vashti, Vayda, Zada, Zana, Zarah, Zaya, Ziah, Ziva, Ziyah, Zyla, Adaiah, Adaya, Aela, Aella, Ahri, Aiya, Ajia, Alleah, Alura, Amarra, Amri, Analeia, Aquilla, Arah, Arella, Ariona, Ariza, Ary, Aryia, Atarah, Auriel, Avangeline, Aveyah, Avri, Ayzel, Aza, Azara, Azaryah, Azayla, Azelia, Azilee, Azora, Azuri, Bena, Caira, Camora, Carisma, Cyra, Dajia, Daliah, Danai, Daphna, Dari, Daylani, Elanna, Elianah, Eliani, Elika, Eliya, Emya, Epiphany, Eriel, Erza, Esli, Esly, Everli, Ezmae, Genessis, Genisis, Gila, Havanna, Havilah, Hazely, Huldah, Ilani, Indi, Itza, Iylah, Iyona, Iza, Izamar, Izora, Jaelle, Jaiya, Jasani, Jasia, Jazel, Jemimah, Jerusalem, Jessamyn, Judea, Juna, Kaiah, Kaleia, Kamori, Kaoir, Kayah, Kayra, Kaziah, Kela, Keniya, Khalea, Khelani, Kimya, Kior, Klani, Kleo, Korah, Kyiah, Lalah, Lamaya, Lenzy, Lexani, Liara, Lizandra, Lua, Lyllian, Madai, Magaline, Mahari, Makaia, Makya, Malaiya, Maranatha, Mehlani, Meka, Melah, Michaiah, Mirah, Navia, Nissi, Normani, Nyari, Onika, Oriah, Prescilla, Promyse, Providence, Raha, Raiya, Rheba, Roizy, Saria, Sayge, Senna, Sevynn, Shilah, Tabytha, Taia, Taija, Talula, Unity, Veyda, Winry, Xara, Xaria, Xavia, Xia, Xiana, Xylah, Yaire, Yarel, Yazlin, Yer, Yesly, Zaiah, Zaidee, Zaila, Zaiya, Zalaya, Zaliyah, Zanya, Zanyla, Zayah, Zaylah, Zeena, Zela, Zemira, Zenna, Zera, Ziana, Ziona, Zissy, Zooey, Zorah, Zoria, Zoriah, Zowie, Zully, Zuriah, Zurie, Zury, Zyah, Zyanna, Zyra, Zyria, Abri, Adaliah, Adayah, Ailah, Aivy, Ajee, Alaiza, Alanii, Alazia, Aliz, Alizea, Allia, Alyla, Ameri, Anaeli, Anaiza, Aniaya, Arha, Arria, Arriel, Arriyah, Ase, Avaiah, Aveya, Ayasha, Ayza, Azana, Azani, Azarah, Azarie, Azariya, Azarya, Azaya, Azayah, Azaylia, Azhani, Azriella, Azyah, Azyla, Beya, Calaya, Casia, Caya, Chania, Cyrah, Dahlila, Dalayla, Daleth, Danaja, Davita, Deliliah, Deylani, Djuna, Dorcus, Elaia, Elaya, Elaysia, Eleia, Elesa, Eloah, Elody, Emmylou, Esti, Evea, Eyana, Eyla, Ezlyn, Ezlynn, Faelynn, Gizel, Illyana, Israella, Ivoree, Iyah, Izel, Jaia, Jaima, Jaira, Jazari, Jazline, Jhream, Jirah, Joplin, Kaior, Kalii, Kazia, Kema, Khiya, Kiala, Kinya, Kyari, Kyarra, Kyrra, Labella, Laiza, Laveah, Leani, Leba, Levita, Liliah, Loveah, Lyah, Lynora, Mahalie, Maiyah, Marra, Maziah, Maziyah, Mazy, Mazzy, Meyah, Miara, Miaya, Moriyah, Myca, Naba, Namiah, Navah, Nayvee, Ndea, Neeva, Nelani, Neylani, Niana, Niaya, Nikya, Noriah, Novali, Nyela, Nyelli, Nyja, Oriyah, Peniel, Prudie, Raela, Rahi, Ravan, Rayen, Reah, Rechel, Retal, Reyah, Rhemi, Ruah, Saia, Saiya, Sanii, Saraiya, Sarya, Sefora, Seriah, Seylah, Shanik, Shiah, Shiya, Shiza, Syra, Taeya, Tazia, Teka, Tessla, Thirza, Tiye, Torah, Vayla, Vyla, Xariah, Xela, Xianna, Xiara, Xuri, Xylina, Yaeli, Yalani, Yarah, Yaremi, Zaela, Zailah, Zaiyah, Zakhia, Zakya, Zala, Zamantha, Zanovia, Zarai, Zareth, Zaveah, Zavia, Zaydee, Zea, Zeanna, Zeda, Zenya, Zeriah, Zeva, Zhavia, Zilla, Zionna, Zira, Zurii, Zyiah, Zylah, Zynia, Zyrah, Zyriah, Aizal, Avaiyah, Ayssa, Ezella, Greydis, Icis, Ivry, Jnya, Kahleah, Laelle, Lenya, Nyella, Onya, Salaya, Syenna, Zabdi, Zurielle, Zylie, Aaliyana, Abrea, Absalat, Acasia, Adaleyza, Ahriyah, Ahsoka, Airah, Aiylah, Aizel, Akaiya, Akya, Alazae, Alira, Alyrica, Alyzae, Amairah, Amarya, Amiaya, Anab, Anyra, Araia, Araiah, Areal, Ariea, Arlowe, Aroush, Arriah, Arryn, Arzoi, Arzoyi, Asenat, Asherah, Ashyra, Assyria, Atalia, Athyna, Atzi, Avayla, Avonni, Ayira, Ayrah, Azaelia, Azalya, Azlee, Azya, Azylah, Azyria, Azyriah, Baela, Cailani, Cataleah, Cecia, Cerria, Chamya, Chariah, Cynia, Daia, Dailah, Daleiza, Deia, Devaeh, Elilah, Elowen, Emera, Emora, Envi, Enyla, Ephrata, Eriyah, Eryss, Esmi, Esmie, Essance, Estie, Evryn, Ezmay, Ezrie, Faya, Ferrah, Giah, Greeicy, Hadasah, Hailo, Havah, Hephzibah, Hilinai, Icey, Ikeya, Indyah, Isaly, Isys, Itzy, Izela, Jezel, Jora, Josabet, Josabeth, Judaea, Kahri, Kaijah, Kalya, Kariya, Kashae, Kasmira, Kayari, Kehlanii, Kemba, Kenniya, Keyah, Keymora, Khaia, Khlani, Khodi, Kiyona, Kymia, Laira, Lamira, Liela, Liyat, Liylah, Loza, Mahli, Maiza, Maneh, Mathea, Maylah, Merriam, Metha, Miniya, Moria, Myan, Naiah, Nare, Navie, Naviyah, Nayvi, Neelah, Nehlani, Nelliel, Niayla, Niza, Nolah, Nolynn, Novalei, Nyala, Nyelah, Nyrah, Omah, Omani, Ophia, Oriya, Orpah, Qiara, Quinette, Raea, Ramsie, Reizy, Rhaya, Rhesa, Riata, Rmoni, Roiza, Saelah, Saharah, Sahory, Samauri, Sanye, Saveah, Saylem, Seoni, Serai, Seraya, Sevi, Shaia, Shalah, Sheva, Sheza, Sinia, Siniya, Sophira, Talah, Tanza, Tarae, Taraya, Teva, Tryphena, Vasti, Vaya, Xalia, Xalori, Xayah, Xoie, Xya, Yasna, Yesha, Yizel, Zacaria, Zaeda, Zaidy, Zalea, Zamorah, Zanari, Zani, Zanita, Zannah, Zarie, Zariel, Zarra, Zaryia, Zaylia, Zeeva, Zeidy, Zelaya, Zeldy, Zema, Zemora, Zenayah, Zeni, Zeniah, Zeniya, Zerah, Zienna, Zierra, Zilah, Zionah, Ziora, Ziza, Zuley, Zuree, Zurri, Zyairah, Zyara, Zyelle, Zyia

Brothers: Asher, Silas, Felix, Milo, August, Elias, Elijah, Isaac, Josiah, Kai, Leo, Levi, Micah, Miles, Noah, River, Adriel, Ari, Asa, Cohen, Damon, Eli, Ira, Jayce, Jude, Luther, Malachi, Messiah, Nehemiah, Tobias, Uriel, Xander, Abdiel, Abner, Alden, Amos, Aziel, Cain, Canaan, Deacon, Eber, Eleazar, Eliam, Eliel, Eliezer, Ender, Ever, Gerson, Hiram, Holden, Hosea, Isael, Isiah, Izrael, Jair, Jasiah, Jaziel, Jireh, Joziah, Judah, Kairo, Kanan, Kit, Kohen, Kruz, Kyrie, Lemuel, Malakai, Mikah, Misael, Orrin, Otis, Samson, Sylas, Taj, Titus, Wiley, Wylie, Zavier, Zayne, Zeke, Adonai, Almon, Amere, Anay, Anjel, Axl, Azai, Azaiah, Boaz, Cai, Corban, Cosmo, Darious, Eben, Efrem, Elam, Eliazar, Ezekial, Ezell, Haydn, Heber, Isom, Issiah, Itzae, Izaak, Jae, Jesiah, Jethro, Jobe, Josias, Kain, Kayvon, Khaza, Kion, Koah, Kobi, Kyro, Lazarus, Lem, Leviticus, Lige, Malachai, Malaki, Mazi, Meir, Micaiah, Mordecai, Naftali, Natan, Obed, Ozias, Oziel, Phineas, Shaya, Shia, Shilo, Talmage, Xavian, Xavior, Yancey, Yeshua, Zade, Zakai, Zyan, Zyon, Abisai, Acen, Adael, Adal, Adlai, Adon, Adonnis, Alias, Andry, Asahd, Ascher, Ason, Azel, Benuel, Burr, Cassiel, Cordae, Cylas, Dinero, Domani, Dorion, Elex, Eliaz, Elige, Eligh, Elijha, Elim, Ellias, Elric, Elyon, Emit, Ephram, Esiah, Eziah, Ezrael, Gershon, Hubbard, Ilijah, Isayah, Jaasiel, Jabez, Jabin, Jachin, Jahseh, Jaice, Jaxiel, Jeremia, Jerico, Jessup, Jeziah, Jeziel, Joah, Jonael, Josyah, Jubal, Juda, Kalab, Kanaan, Kyon, Lazer, Leviathan, Levie, Liev, Mahki, Makhai, Malakhai, Malakye, Marqus, Miklo, Miloh, Nasier, Neithan, Neizan, Nicco, Oziah, Parley, Phinehas, Rael, Riven, Samaj, Shyne, Siah, Sylis, Symon, Syon, Takari, Tavien, Tavius, Thadius, Tyus, Volney, Wanya, Xaden, Xane, Xaviar, Xian, Xzavian, Yared, Yareth, Yonah, Yosiah, Zael, Zakhari, Zarek, Zarian, Zarion, Zayaan, Zaydan, Zaylan, Zayvian, Zekiah, Zephan, Zeth, Zian, Zidan, Zyhir, Zyire, Adonay, Aizik, Amish, Amrom, Anav, Arieon, Ario, Ariv, Ariz, Arth, Asahel, Asriel, Atzel, Avien, Axiel, Azaire, Azarius, Azavier, Azion, Calel, Cyris, Daekwon, Daimian, Edahi, Edis, Eilam, Eligha, Elikai, Eluzer, Esaias, Esias, Eyoel, Ezel, Ezeriah, Ezran, Ezreal, Fillmore, Gershom, Heyden, Hezzie, Huriel, Ishmail, Ishmeal, Isiac, Isiaha, Isiaih, Iyan, Izaya, Izen, Izick, Jafeth, Jakim, Jakin, Jasaiah, Jasher, Jayvier, Jedaiah, Jeremyah, Jesaiah, Jese, Jorah, Joram, Julez, Kaemon, Kairee, Kaius, Kaiyan, Kashius, Keian, Kizer, Kodah, Kyriee, Leven, Levii, Levis, Lukis, Mahzi, Mekai, Meko, Merek, Nathanyel, Nekoda, Nessiah, Nieko, Nyko, Odes, Osiah, Osias, Phares, Ramari, Remiel, Rice, Romen, Sael, Samule, Savier, Sevon, Shadrach, Symere, Syris, Tajai, Tajon, Talik, Tavi, Tedric, Tekoa, Urie, Vian, Wyeth, Wyland, Xyon, Xzavien, Yaphet, Yaziel, Yerick, Yetzael, Yordy, Yuriel, Zai, Zaide, Zaiel, Zamier, Zaron, Zaryan, Zaul, Zavian, Zavior, Zayin, Zaylyn, Zayvon, Zeal, Zeek, Zerek, Zymire, Asar, Daruis, Enzi, Isaiahs, Izic, Jerimah, Kalyb, Khalee, Khriz, Khyro, Zakhai, Aari, Aaris, Acari, Aceon, Adoni, Adryel, Ahzir, Aleph, Amais, Amazi, Amiris, Amnen, Amram, Anzel, Ariez, Aro, Asah, Asaun, Asaya, Ashai, Ashyr, Auren, Aviyon, Axzel, Ayvin, Azahel, Azair, Azekiel, Azi, Baruc, Benjerman, Chananya, Cyrie, Demiri, Desiah, Deyvi, Edras, Edrei, Eizen, Elean, Eliahs, Elijan, Elisah, Elizar, Elizer, Emerik, Endi, Enock, Esaiah, Essiah, Ezael, Ezaiah, Eze, Ezekiah, Eziel, Ezikiel, Ezren, Ezryn, Gedeon, Gid, Haim, Harim, Icker, Ikal, Iniko, Inmer, Irah, Ison, Izaih, Izmael, Izreal, Izzak, Jacai, Jago, Jahon, Jahvier, Jayr, Jazael, Jazai, Jaze, Jazziel, Jefte, Jeptha, Jerik, Jkai, Joeziah, Josian, Joziel, Junah, Kado, Kaiel, Kainoah, Kaion, Kaliel, Kalo, Kazen, Khyair, Kovi, Kyrus, Kyzeir, Lamelo, Lamere, Lavie, Lewi, Lowen, Lukka, Macai, Makbel, Malacai, Maziyon, Mazzi, Meshilem, Mykai, Naujour, Navier, Nazai, Nehemyah, Neziah, Nio, Noar, Noeh, Omir, Oryon, Ozil, Pax, Rastus, Reon, Riel, Rodricus, Saben, Saiyr, Savir, Shadrack, Shemuel, Siris, Siyon, Tallis, Tavio, Tiam, Trypp, Ukiah, Wilde, Xael, Xaine, Xavious, Xavyer, Xayvier, Xxavier, Yasiah, Yaxiel, Yeico, Yosohn, Zadiel, Zahkai, Zaion, Zair, Zakkai, Zale, Zared, Zavi, Zay, Zecharia, Zeon, Zeven, Zevi, Zhion, Zimir, Zoel, Zohaan, Zolan, Zyonn, Zyrie, Zyrus

Names like Ezra

Names whose popularity has moved with Ezra's over the last 50 years.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

E is for Ezra, our favorite little boy.

E is for Ezra…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Ezra's letter becomes Ezra's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

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Questions parents ask

What does Ezra mean?
Ezra is a Hebrew name meaning "help," usually explained as a short form of a longer name such as Azariah, "Yahweh has helped." It comes from the biblical scribe who led exiles back from Babylon.
How popular is Ezra?
Very popular. Ezra ranked No. 20 nationally in 2025, given to roughly one of every 210 boys born that year, and it hit its all-time high in 2024.
Is Ezra a boy's or girl's name?
In American usage Ezra is given overwhelmingly to boys, though it sees occasional use for girls.
What are good nicknames for Ezra?
Ez and Ezzy are the natural short forms. Many families simply use the full name, since it is only two syllables.