Esau

At a Glance

Meaning

Traditionally glossed 'hairy' (a biblical wordplay); the true linguistic root is uncertain

Origin

Hebrew

Gender

Primarily used for boys

Pronunciation

EE-sawListen

Esau is a Hebrew name with a long biblical history. You'll often see it glossed as 'hairy man,' a nod to a wordplay in the Genesis text where Esau was described as being born hairy — but that's more of a story detail than a settled linguistic meaning, and scholars generally treat the true root of the name as uncertain. If you're drawn to Esau, it's a name with deep roots but no fully pinned-down definition.

Meaning & Origin of Esau

Meaning: Traditionally glossed 'hairy' (a biblical wordplay); the true linguistic root is uncertain.

Origin: Hebrew.

A common claim: Popularly said to mean 'a hairy man.' Actually: This comes from a wordplay in the Genesis text (Esau was born hairy) rather than a settled linguistic derivation — many scholars treat it as folk etymology.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Esau

Popularity of Esau

Esau reached its high point in 1890, when it ranked #926 with 6 babies given the name; by 2024 it had fallen to #3055, with 40 babies recorded that year.

Names Like Esau

Names with a similar style, era, origin or popularity history.

• Hilda
• Cato
• Mallie
• Beauregard
• Vianna
• Una

FAQ

What does the name Esau mean?

Traditionally glossed ‘hairy’ (a biblical wordplay); the true linguistic root is uncertain. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Esau?

Esau is pronounced EE-saw (IPA: /ˈiːsɔː/).

Is Esau a popular name right now?

Esau peaked at #926 in 1890 and is ranked #3055 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Esau Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Esau, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.