Esau Boy

Popularity: #901 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EE-saw //ˈiːsɔː//

Origin: Hebrew; English

Meaning: Hebrew: 'hairy'; English: 'he who supplants'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Esau has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the word 'עֵשָׂו' (Esav), which is often interpreted to mean 'hairy' or 'rough.' This etymology is significant as it reflects the biblical character Esau, who is described in the Book of Genesis as being born with a hairy body, which is a defining characteristic of his identity. The name entered the English language through the Latin 'Esau,' which was used in early Christian texts, and subsequently through the Old French 'Esaü' during the medieval period, before becoming established in English literature and religious texts.

Historically, Esau is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis, where he is depicted as the elder twin brother of Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah. The narrative, which dates back to the 1st millennium BCE, details the complex relationship between the two brothers, including the famous account of Esau selling his birthright for a bowl of stew.

This story has been interpreted in various ways throughout history, often symbolizing themes of rivalry, familial conflict, and the consequences of impulsive decisions. Esau's legacy is further cemented in Judeo-Christian traditions, where he is recognized as the ancestor of the Edomites, a significant group in biblical history.

Culturally, the name Esau carries connotations of strength and ruggedness, reflective of the character's physical description and his role as a hunter. The narrative surrounding Esau has been influential in various religious teachings and moral lessons, contributing to its endurance in cultural memory.

Additionally, the name has been associated with themes of reconciliation and forgiveness, particularly in the context of Esau's eventual reunion with Jacob, which has been interpreted as a powerful message about family and redemption. While diminutive forms of the name are not widely noted, the historical significance of Esau remains prominent in discussions of biblical narratives and their moral implications.

Fictional characters named Esau

The following list of fictional characters named Esau is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Esau is a fictional character from the biblical narrative in the Book of Genesis. He is known as the elder twin brother of Jacob and is often associated with themes of rivalry and loss.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Esau, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

JacobIsaacMosesAaronDavidSolomon

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Esau. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

EliasEzraEthanIsaiahAsherElijahIsaacEzekiel

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Esau was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Esau has ranked as high as #4063 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in California, Texas, South Carolina, Illinois, and Arizona.

In the past 5 years the name Esau has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Esau is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Esau was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Esau.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 37 37
2024 40 40
2023 33 33
2022 44 44
2021 35 35
2020 38 38
2019 33 33
2018 37 37
2017 25 25
2016 48 48
2015 39 39
2014 41 41
2013 35 35
2012 47 47
2011 47 47
2010 57 57
2009 59 59
2008 72 72
2007 82 82
2006 73 73
2005 63 63
2004 63 63
2003 55 55
2002 46 46
2001 58 58
2000 73 73
1999 38 38
1998 39 39
1997 39 39
1996 40 40
1995 31 31
1994 25 25
1993 40 40
1992 37 37
1991 35 35
1990 44 44
1989 39 39
1988 31 31
1987 22 22
1986 20 20
1985 22 22
1984 12 12
1983 19 19
1982 25 25
1981 28 28
1980 27 27
1979 24 24
1978 17 17
1977 17 17
1976 14 14
1975 15 15
1974 13 13
1973 18 18
1972 10 10
1971 8 8
1970 13 13
1969 10 10
1968 8 8
1967 12 12
1966 15 15
1965 12 12
1964 13 13
1963 11 11
1962 11 11
1961 12 12
1960 10 10
1959 13 13
1958 13 13
1957 22 22
1956 15 15
1955 13 13
1954 14 14
1953 15 15
1952 10 10
1951 19 19
1950 21 21
1949 19 19
1948 16 16
1947 18 18
1946 16 16
1945 14 14
1944 15 15
1943 11 11
1942 19 19
1941 18 18
1940 14 14
1939 22 22
1938 13 13
1937 14 14
1936 14 14
1935 18 18
1934 22 22
1933 12 12
1932 19 19
1931 5 5
1930 11 11
1929 8 8
1928 18 18
1927 7 7
1926 19 19
1925 22 22
1924 11 11
1923 18 18
1922 20 20
1921 16 16
1920 17 17
1919 14 14
1918 17 17
1917 19 19
1916 24 24
1915 13 13
1914 14 14
1913 13 13
1912 7 7
1911 6 6
1909 7 7
1908 6 6
1907 7 7
1902 7 7
1900 7 7
1897 6 6
1896 5 5
1894 6 6
1893 5 5
1890 6 6
1884 5 5
1880 5 5

Top States for Esau (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 6
35%
CA 6
35%
OR 5
29%