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Name Lineage

    The first name Esau

    A boy’s name from Hebrew.

    Pronounced /ˈisɔ/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Hebrew origin

    From Ancient Greek Ἡσαῦ (Hēsaû), from Biblical Hebrew עֵשָׂו (ʿēśāw).

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Esau at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 37 boys born in the United States were named Esau, the 3,205th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2007, when 82 were.

    04590 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    2,976
    babies named Esau since 1880
    #3,205
    rank in 2025
    2007
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Other spellings and forms

    • Esav

    Famous people named Esau

    1 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Esau de' Buondelmonti
      Despot of Epirus, 1355–1411

    More Hebrew boys’ names

    All 346 names of Hebrew origin

    Questions

    What does the name Esau mean?
    From Ancient Greek Ἡσαῦ (Hēsaû), from Biblical Hebrew עֵשָׂו (ʿēśāw).
    What is the origin of the name Esau?
    From Ancient Greek Ἡσαῦ (Hēsaû), from Biblical Hebrew עֵשָׂו (ʿēśāw).
    Is Esau a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 2,976 US babies named Esau since 1880 were boys.
    When was Esau most popular?
    2007 in the United States, when 82 babies were named Esau, its highest rank at 1,785th.
    How do you pronounce Esau?
    Esau is /ˈisɔ/, 2 syllables.
    What are other spellings of Esau?
    Esav.
    Is Esau also a surname?
    Yes. Esau is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.