What Does the Name Ezra Mean? A Baby Name Guide

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Learn about the history and significance of this Biblical name

Co-authored by Sonya Prior and Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD

Last Updated: September 25, 2025 Fact Checked

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• In the Bible
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The name Ezra has recently gained popularity, but did you know that it has ancient roots in the Bible? Whether you’ve just met an Ezra or you’re a parent-to-be who is considering Ezra as a potential baby name, keep reading to learn all about this historical and significant Hebrew name, including its origins, meaning, and more!

What does the Biblical name Ezra mean?

Ezra means "help" or "helpful" in Hebrew. Ezra may be short for Azaryahu, which means “God helps” or “Yahweh helps.” The meaning behind the name reflects the important role that Ezra played in the Bible. A prophet, priest, and scribe, Ezra is credited with reenacting Jewish law among the exiled Jews.

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Section 1 of 3:

What does the name Ezra mean?

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1. 
   Ezra means “help” or “helpful” in Hebrew. Derived from the Hebrew root “azar,” Ezra means “help,” “helper,” or “helpful.” Ezra is a diminutive of Azaryahu, which means “God helps” or “Yahweh helps.” The Hebrew meaning of the name largely reflects the Biblical role of Ezra, a scribe and prophet who led the Jews back to Israel after their exile to Babylon and restored Jewish law. He taught and helped enforce the law, spreading the word of the Torah among his people with zeal and conviction.

   • Some common nicknames and variations of Ezra include Raz, Ezzie, and Ezra.
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Section 2 of 3:

Ezra in the Bible

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1. 
   Ezra helped reestablish Jewish law in the Book of Ezra. In the Old Testament of the Bible, Ezra is credited as a scribe and priest who led the Jews from their exile in Babylon back to Jerusalem. During the reign of King Artaxerxes, Ezra was tasked with teaching Jewish law as written in the Torah. He enacted rules of conduct, such as policies on modesty and making sure courts were open on the right days, leaving behind a legacy similar to that of Moses. Some notable verses from the Bible featuring Ezra include:

   • Ezra 7:10: “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.”
   • Ezra 9:6: “I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. From the days of our ancestors until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we and our kings and our priests have been subjected to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation at the hand of foreign kings, as it is today.”
   • Ezra 8:21: “There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, ‘The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.’ So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.”

Section 3 of 3:

Ezra Name Popularity

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1. 
   Ezra has risen in popularity as a unisex name. According to Social Security records, Ezra has become a household name in recent years—literally. Although it is traditionally a masculine name, Ezra has been used to name baby girls more and more regularly since 2023. From 2023 to 2024, Ezra climbed up 59 spots, from #764 to #705 on the most popular baby girl names list. Now relatively common among boys and girls, Ezra continues to be a top pick among new parents for its uniqueness and Biblical context. Here are some famous bearers of the name:

   • Ezra Pound (1885-1972): Modern American poet and critic.
   • Ezra Koenig (1984-): American musician and frontman of indie rock band Vampire Weekend.
   • Ezra Cornell (1807-1874): American businessman and academic who co-founded Cornell University.
   • Ezra Klein (1984- ): American journalist and co-founder of Vox News.
   • Looking for more traditionally feminine Biblical names for your baby girl? Check out our “Biblical Girl Names” article!
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