Rising since 1986, #1,141 for boys today.
Popularity of Lazarus since 1882
Babies named Lazarus per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 15 |
| 1890s | 10 |
| 1900s | 17 |
| 1910s | 97 |
| 1920s | 84 |
| 1930s | 45 |
| 1940s | 48 |
| 1950s | 76 |
| 1960s | 72 |
| 1970s | 157 |
| 1980s | 251 |
| 1990s | 362 |
| 2000s | 710 |
| 2010s | 1,173 |
| 2020s | 926 |
Meaning & origin
Lazarus is a biblical name with a weighty legacy, yet it has remained rare in the U.S. for most of its recorded history. First appearing in Social Security records in 1882, it hovered near obscurity for decades. However, a notable shift began in 1986, and the name has been on a steady upward trajectory since, reaching its highest rank ever in 2025 at 1141. That year, approximately 1 in 9233 baby boys received the name. The rise appears concentrated in states like Indiana, Arizona, and South Carolina. The name's meaning, 'God has helped,' and its connection to the New Testament story of resurrection give it a profound, if solemn, resonance that appeals to parents seeking a distinctive yet historically rooted choice.
Lazarus is the Latinized form of the Greek Lazaros, which itself derives from the Hebrew name Eleazar, meaning 'God has helped.' In the New Testament, Lazarus is the name of two figures: a man whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 11) and a beggar in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16). The name has been used in English since the Protestant Reformation, though it remains uncommon in most centuries.
Where Lazarus is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Laz, Larry
Sibling names for Lazarus
Names that share Lazarus's style, for a brother or sister.
