Esau Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Esau originates from Hebrew, meaning 'hairy'. It has evolved through various languages, including Latin and Greek, while maintaining its biblical significance. Esau is known for his complex character in the Bible and is often viewed as a symbol of the struggles between siblings. The name is not widely used today, but it remains significant in religious contexts.
The name Esau is most popular in South Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Esau has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Esau' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1847th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1910th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2111th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2562nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2239th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2135th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3133rd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Esau' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Esau"
Pronunciation
/ˈiːsɔː/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Esau is derived from the Hebrew word 'asa', meaning 'to make' or 'to do'. In the biblical context, it can also mean 'hairy', referring to Esau's physical appearance.
Meaning
hairy
Language Evolution
Hebrew: עֵשָׂו (Esav), Latin: Esau, Greek: Ἐσάυ (Esau)
Biblical Background
Esau is a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible, known as the elder twin brother of Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah. He is often associated with the themes of birthright and blessing.
Historical Usage
The name Esau has been used throughout history, primarily within Jewish and Christian communities, due to its biblical roots. Its recognition increased during the medieval period, especially in religious contexts.
Variants & Derivatives
Esa, Ezau
Modern Popularity & Image
Esau is relatively uncommon as a modern given name but is recognized in biblical studies and among those familiar with biblical narratives. It carries connotations of complexity due to the character's story.
Famous People
Esau McCaulley, a contemporary theologian and writer.
Explore More Esau Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Esau"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Esau"
"Esau" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1847th of 7545 | 284 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1910th of 6773 | 267 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2111th of 7552 | 281 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2562nd of 10718 | 233 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2239th of 16616 | 470 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2135th of 24088 | 911 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3133rd of 23106 | 448 |
Regional Popularity of "Esau" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
60.69% 1436th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
62.05% 1460th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
55.03% 1570th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
64.38% 2265th/3518 |
42.21% 1707th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
35.64% 1851st/5194 |
20.79% 1313th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
60.28% 2762nd/4582 |
- |
24.96% 1825th/7313 |
18.24% 1361st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
76.51% 3048th/3984 |
- |
37.60% 2565th/6822 |
35.60% 2234th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Esau" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Esau"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Esau" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.