Eleazer is a unique and distinctive male given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "Eliezer," which is composed of two elements: "El" meaning "God," and "ezer" meaning "help." Therefore, Eleazer translates to "God is my helper."
The name Eleazer appears in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in Genesis 15:2-3. In this passage, Abraham refers to his servant Eliezer as his heir, until God reveals that a son will be born from Sarah, making him the true heir instead. This story provides an early association of the name Eleazer with faithful service and divine intervention.
While the name Eleazer is not particularly common today, its biblical origins and meaningful translation make it an attractive choice for parents seeking a distinctive yet significant name for their son. In some cultures, variations of this name such as Elijah or Elias may be more familiar, but Eleazer maintains its own unique identity rooted in its historic and spiritual context.
In conclusion, Eleazer is a Hebrew male given name with a profound meaning: "God is my helper." Its biblical roots contribute to its rich history and significance. Although it may not be widely used today, the name Eleazer stands out as a notable choice for parents interested in providing their child with a meaningful and distinctive name.
Here are some interesting statistics regarding the name Eleazer in the United States:
Over the past century, there have been a total of 59 babies named Eleazer born in the U.S., with some years seeing multiple births and others none at all.
The name's popularity has fluctuated over time. In the early to mid-20th century (1919, 1920, and 1923), there were four recorded births of Eleazer each year. After a gap of nearly four decades, the name resurfaced in the late 20th century with five births in both 1964 and 1971.
The 1980s saw another Eleazer birth (1986), followed by a noticeable increase in popularity in recent years. From 2004 onwards, there have been at least five births each decade, with peaks of seven births both in 2012 and 2014.
Most recently, in 2018, there were five babies named Eleazer born in the United States.
These statistics demonstrate that while Eleazer may not be among the most popular names, it has maintained a steady presence throughout various periods in American history.