Ezekiel, derived from the Hebrew name יְחֶזְקֵאל (Yəḥezqêl), meaning "God will strengthen," is a historic and biblically significant first name. It is most notably associated with the prophet Ezekiel in the Old Testament of the Bible. Born during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel served as a priest before being called to prophesy around 593 BCE. His prophecies are recorded in the Book of Ezekiel, which provides valuable insights into Jewish history and religious beliefs during that period. The name Ezekiel has been used throughout history, with notable figures including Ezekiel the Tragedian, who wrote an epic poem on the Exodus, and Ezekiel Cheever, a 17th-century Harvard graduate who served as a teacher and author in colonial America. Today, Ezekiel remains a unique and powerful name choice, often selected for its biblical significance and strong sound.
Ezekiel saw an uptick in popularity from 2017 to 2021 with 8 births each year, but has since dipped to 5 births annually. Over the period of 2013 to 2022, there were a total of 45 babies named Ezekiel.