Ezra
Ezra is a boys' name of Hebrew origin meaning “help, helper.” It ranked #20 in the United States in 2025. Ezra was a priestly scribe in the Hebrew Bible who led the return of Jews from exile in Babylon.
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how do you pronounce Ezra?
EZ-rah
where does the name Ezra come from?
From the Hebrew עֶזְרָא, meaning help or helper, a shortened form of Azaryahu — God has helped. The clipping is ancient rather than modern, and the full form appears elsewhere in the same biblical books.
Poet Ezra Pound brought it literary cachet. It has been one of the fastest-rising biblical names, entering the top 25.
how popular is this name?
Ezra has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 143 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 3. It peaked at #13 in 2024, and ranked #20 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #20 |
| 2024 | #13 |
| 2023 | #15 |
| 2022 | #25 |
| 2021 | #37 |
| 2020 | #44 |
| 2019 | #49 |
| 2018 | #59 |
| 2017 | #69 |
| 2016 | #85 |
| 2010 | #241 |
| 2000 | #430 |
| 1990 | #760 |
| 1980 | #670 |
| 1970 | #959 |
| 1960 | #964 |
| 1950 | #788 |
| 1940 | #802 |
| 1930 | #572 |
| 1920 | #511 |
| 1910 | #415 |
| 1900 | #330 |
| 1890 | #259 |
| 1880 | #270 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Ezra fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Ezra
Ezra the scribe led a return from Babylonian exile in the fifth century BCE and is credited in Jewish tradition with re-establishing the Torah at the centre of religious life — a reform substantial enough that he is sometimes called a second Moses. The poet Ezra Pound gave the name a more contested modern association. It entered the American top thirty in the 2020s.
who are famous people named Ezra?
- Ezra Pound (American poet)
- Ezra Miller (American actor)
- Ezra Koenig (Vampire Weekend frontman)
what are the nicknames and variants of Ezra?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Ezra?
what names go well with Ezra?
Sibling names that share Ezra's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Ezra
What does the name Ezra mean?
Ezra means “help, helper”.
What is the origin of the name Ezra?
Ezra comes from the Hebrew naming tradition. Related forms include Esdras and Ezraa.
How popular is the name Ezra?
Ezra ranked #20 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2024, at #13, and it has spent 143 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Ezra a boy or girl name?
Ezra is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Ezra?
Ezra is pronounced EZ-rah, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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