Esau
From Ancient Greek Ἡσαῦ (Hēsaû), from Biblical Hebrew עֵשָׂו (ʿēśāw).
Every Esau since 1880 — 2,976 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Esau
Esau is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,205 in 2025 with 37 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 2,976 American babies have been named Esau. Its peak came in 2007, when 82 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Esau stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Esau year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 37 | #3,205 |
| 2024 | 40 | #3,065 |
| 2023 | 33 | #3,496 |
| 2022 | 44 | #2,887 |
| 2021 | 35 | #3,320 |
| 2020 | 38 | #3,035 |
| 2019 | 33 | #3,442 |
| 2018 | 37 | #3,123 |
| 2017 | 25 | #4,146 |
| 2016 | 48 | #2,596 |
| 2015 | 39 | #2,987 |
| 2014 | 41 | #2,857 |
| 2013 | 35 | #3,146 |
| 2012 | 47 | #2,608 |
| 2011 | 47 | #2,597 |
| 2010 | 57 | #2,271 |
| 2009 | 59 | #2,236 |
| 2008 | 72 | #1,972 |
| 2007 | 82 | #1,785 |
| 2006 | 73 | #1,864 |
| 2005 | 63 | #1,992 |
| 2004 | 63 | #1,940 |
| 2003 | 55 | #2,062 |
| 2002 | 46 | #2,265 |
| 2001 | 58 | #1,897 |
| 2000 | 73 | #1,616 |
| 1995 | 31 | #2,464 |
| 1990 | 44 | #1,787 |
| 1985 | 22 | #2,376 |
| 1980 | 27 | #2,020 |
| 1975 | 15 | #2,673 |
| 1970 | 13 | #2,661 |
| 1965 | 12 | #2,398 |
| 1960 | 10 | #2,743 |
| 1955 | 13 | #2,248 |
| 1950 | 21 | #1,626 |
| 1945 | 14 | #1,876 |
| 1940 | 14 | #1,931 |
| 1935 | 18 | #1,677 |
| 1930 | 11 | #2,498 |
| 1925 | 22 | #1,650 |
| 1920 | 17 | #1,984 |
| 1915 | 13 | #2,097 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | 7 | #1,081 |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | 6 | #926 |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | 5 | #957 |
Famous people named Esau
- Esau de' Buondelmonti Politician · 1355–1411
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Esau mean?
From Ancient Greek Ἡσαῦ (Hēsaû), from Biblical Hebrew עֵשָׂו (ʿēśāw).
How popular is the name Esau in 2025?
Esau ranked #3,205 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 37 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Esau?
2,976 babies have been named Esau in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Esau most popular?
Esau peaked in 2007, when 82 newborns received the name.
Is Esau a boy or girl name?
Esau is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Esau rising or falling?
Esau has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Esau?
Well-known people named Esau include Esau de' Buondelmonti (politician).