Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ezra
BoyHebrew· “help”
- Meaning
- help
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- EZ-ruh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #20
- US babies 2025
- 8,126
- Best rank
- #13 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Ezra
Ezra is a Hebrew name that means “help”.
Ezra is a Hebrew name meaning help. In the Bible, Ezra is a scribe and priest who leads a group of exiles back from Babylon to Jerusalem and teaches the law to the people, and the Book of Ezra carries his name. The name was used by Puritans in England and New England, then became rarer before returning in recent decades. The poet Ezra Pound is a famous twentieth-century bearer. Today Ezra feels scholarly, gentle and modern at the same time, with a distinctive z sound. It is short enough that most families use it without a nickname.
Popularity over time
Ezra has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 143 different years. Its best national rank was #13 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 8,822 babies. In 2025, 8,126 babies were named Ezra, and it ranked #20 nationally. That is 87% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #512 in 1920, #788 in 1950, #670 in 1980, #430 in 2000, #241 in 2010, and #20 in 2025. Of the 106,761 US boys named Ezra since records began, 45% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 38,650 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Elias, Luca, Hudson, Santiago, and Cooper.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ezra ranked highest in Wyoming, New Mexico, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | #6 | 18 |
| New Mexico | #7 | 67 |
| Arizona | #10 | 250 |
| Texas | #11 | 1,067 |
| Oklahoma | #12 | 125 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 95% of US babies named Ezra over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Ezra is usually pronounced EZ-ruh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with E and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Ezra
A few middle names that flow with Ezra: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ezra
Similar names
Ira Unisex
EYE-ruh
“watchful” · Hebrew
#822
Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ethan Boy
EE-thuhn
“firm, enduring, strong” · Hebrew
#24
Samuel Boy
SAM-yoo-uhl
“God has heard” · Hebrew
#18
Isaac Boy
EYE-zuhk
“he will laugh” · Hebrew
#47
Nathan Boy
NAY-thuhn
“he gave” · Hebrew
#63
Caleb Boy
KAY-luhb
“dog; often read as wholehearted” · Hebrew
#58
Levi Boy
LEE-vy
“joined, attached” · Hebrew
#12
Jose Boy
hoh-ZAY
“he will add” · Spanish
#95
Asher Boy
ASH-ur
“happy, blessed” · Hebrew
#28
Ian Boy
EE-uhn
“God is gracious” · Scottish
#83
Micah Boy
MY-kuh
“who is like Yahweh” · Hebrew
#90
Lists that include Ezra
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ezra mean?
Ezra is a Hebrew name that means “help”.
What is the origin of the name Ezra?
Ezra has Hebrew roots. Ezra is a Hebrew name meaning help.
Is Ezra a popular name?
Yes. Ezra ranked #20 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Ezra a boy or girl name?
Ezra is mainly a boy's name. About 95% of US babies named Ezra over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Ezra?
Ezra is usually pronounced EZ-ruh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings