עֶזְרָא

What Does Ezra Mean in Hebrew?

From the root ע-ז-ר (ayin-zayin-resh) meaning 'to help, to aid, to succor.' The form עֶזְרָא includes the Aramaic aleph ending, reflecting the bilingual environment of the post-exilic period. Related names include Azariah ('YHWH has helped'), Eliezer ('my God is helper'), and Ezer.

Ezra in the Bible

Ezra was a priest descended from Aaron and a skilled scribe in the Torah of Moses. He led the second wave of Jewish return from Babylon to Jerusalem (Ezra 7), reinstituted Torah reading, reformed intermarriage practices, and is credited by tradition with establishing the Great Assembly — the precursor to the Sanhedrin. He essentially rebuilt Jewish religious life after the exile.

Cultural Context & Modern Usage

In Jewish tradition, Ezra is ranked alongside Moses in importance for transmitting Torah. He is credited with introducing the square Hebrew script (Ktav Ashuri) that replaced the older Paleo-Hebrew, and with establishing the public Torah reading cycle that continues in synagogues to this day. He essentially shaped how Judaism would be practiced for the next 2,500 years.

Ezra has surged in popularity in recent years, climbing into the top 50 boys' names in the United States. Its vintage-yet-modern feel, short punchy sound, and deep biblical roots appeal to a broad range of parents. The poet Ezra Pound and the name's literary associations add cultural cachet.