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Ezekiel Boy

Popularity: #53 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

Pronunciationeh-ZEE-kehl / ɛˈziːkəl

Hebrew

Meaning

God strengthens

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ezekiel originates from the Hebrew name יְחֶזְקֵאל (Yeḥezqel), which means "God strengthens" or "God will strengthen." This name is composed of two elements: "yeḥez" meaning "to strengthen" and "El," which refers to God. The name was transliterated into Greek as Ἰεζεκιήλ (Iezekiēl) and later into Latin as Ezechiel, before entering Old French and eventually becoming Ezekiel in English. The transition into English occurred through the influence of the Latin Vulgate and the subsequent translations of the Bible, particularly the King James Version in the early 17th century, which helped to popularize biblical names in English-speaking cultures.

Ezekiel is notably recognized as a major prophet in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Book of Ezekiel, which is dated to the 6th century BCE. This text is significant for its vivid imagery and themes of prophecy, judgment, and restoration, reflecting the historical context of the Babylonian exile. Ezekiel's role as a prophet and his visions have made the name enduringly significant in both Jewish and Christian traditions. The name has also been borne by various historical figures, including saints and leaders, which has further cemented its place in religious and cultural history.

Culturally, Ezekiel is often associated with strength and resilience due to its etymological roots and the prophetic figure's messages of hope and renewal. The name has been used in various literary and artistic works throughout history, symbolizing divine support and fortitude. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Zeke have emerged, reflecting a more informal or affectionate usage, though the original form remains prominent in religious contexts.

Trend Summary

Ezekiel has seen a resurgence in popularity in the United States, particularly in the 21st century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Zeke
  • Eze

International Variants

  • Ezechiele (Italian)
  • Ezequiel (Spanish)
  • Ézéchiel (French)

Famous people named Ezekiel

Ezekiel Elliott is a professional football player best known for playing as a running back for the Dallas Cowboys and winning the NFL rushing title.

Fictional characters named Ezekiel

Ezekiel is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead. He is the charismatic leader of the Kingdom, known for his theatrical personality and his pet tiger, Shiva.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ezekiel was first seen in the United States in 1880. Ezekiel has ranked as high as #77 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Ezekiel has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Ezekiel (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 1,207
23%
TX 869
17%
FL 290
6%
AZ 220
4%
IL 161
3%
OH 146
3%
NY 134
3%
GA 131
3%
MI 130
2%
WA 126
2%
NC 115
2%
TN 101
2%
VA 101
2%
IN 101
2%
PA 96
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188016
188122
188211
188314
188413
188510
188617
188711
188816
188914
18909
18919
189218
189314
189414
18959
189616
189710
18986
189910
190019
19018
19028
190310
19046
190511
19068
190716
190813
190919
191020
191116
191227
191335
191438
191548
191645
191749
191849
191947
192053
192156
192258
192351
192455
192542
192657
192758
192842
192942
193055
193144
193240
193344
193444
193533
193638
193736
193844
193931
194049
194143
194235
194344
194445
194554
194643
194756
194852
194951
195046
195140
195244
195356
195440
195541
195646
195733
195838
195932
196052
196139
196224
196331
196439
196534
196628
196734
196825
196939
197042
197149
197259
197359
197480
197588
197675
1977123
1978125
1979120
1980118
1981119
1982131
1983149
1984160
1985117
1986151
1987162
1988191
1989224
1990263
1991256
1992262
1993294
1994290
1995333
1996386
1997467
1998499
1999690
2000741
2001729
2002792
2003912
2004988
20051,068
20061,293
20071,440
20081,547
20091,613
20101,691
20111,871
20121,938
20132,197
20142,382
20152,811
20163,402
20174,775
20184,365
20194,936
20205,090
20215,842
20226,043
20235,596
20245,390