Ezra

Ezra is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin. It derives from the Hebrew name Ezra, meaning “help” or “God helps.” In religious literature, Ezra is the name of a Hebrew scribe and priest who led the return of some Jews from Babylonian exile and oversaw the restoration of the Torah and religious practice in Jerusalem after the exile.

In the Hebrew Bible, Ezra the scribe is a key figure in the later phase of the Restoration, prescribing adherence to the Law and instructing the people in its observance. The Book of Ezra, often read together with Nehemiah, recounts his mission, the rebuilding of the altar and temple, the enforcement of religious reforms, and the reconstitution of the Jewish community. Some traditions attribute the book’s authorship to Ezra, though modern scholarship typically treats it as an anonymous composite work.

In modern times, Ezra is widely used as a given name for boys in the English-speaking world and elsewhere. Notable people named Ezra include the poet Ezra Pound, the journalist Ezra Klein, the musician Ezra Koenig (of Vampire Weekend), and the actor Ezra Miller. The name appears in literature and media, and its concise, timeless form has contributed to its continued use.