Esau
Boy name · #3184 in 2025 · Very rare
How old is the name Esau? In official American birth records, Esau has been tracked continuously since 1880, giving it 145 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 37 baby boys were named Esau, placing it at #3184 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #2966, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 48,649 boys born in 2025 was named Esau.
Babies named Esau per year. Source: Official national birth records.
The 145-year story
Esau first appears in the Social Security records in 1880, when 5 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2007, when 82 boys were named Esau — good for #1781 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Esau against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Esau in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Esau is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "very rare". A high score means genuine rarity — your Esau will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Esau is most common
State-level data for Esau is too sparse in 2025 to rank by rate — in most states its count falls below the SSA's per-state reporting threshold (counts under 5 are withheld).
Names like Esau
Statistically, parents drawn to Esau tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Elie, Evin, Edan, Eamonn, and Edvin.
ElieEvinEdanEamonnEdvinElyEduardAlen
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Esau | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 37 | #3181 |
| 2024 | 40 | #3045 |
| 2023 | 33 | #3474 |
| 2022 | 44 | #2873 |
| 2021 | 35 | #3297 |
| 2020 | 38 | #3025 |
| 2019 | 33 | #3426 |
| 2018 | 37 | #3106 |
| 2017 | 25 | #4105 |
| 2016 | 48 | #2587 |
| 2015 | 39 | #2966 |
| 2014 | 41 | #2847 |
| 2013 | 35 | #3122 |
| 2012 | 47 | #2594 |
| 2011 | 47 | #2590 |
| 2010 | 57 | #2262 |
| 2009 | 59 | #2231 |
| 2008 | 72 | #1969 |
| 2007 | 82 | #1781 |
| 2006 | 73 | #1856 |
| 2005 | 63 | #1983 |
| 2004 | 63 | #1934 |
| 2003 | 55 | #2055 |
| 2002 | 46 | #2249 |
| 2001 | 58 | #1893 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Esau?
In official American birth records, the name Esau first appeared in 1880 (over 145 years ago), when 5 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Esau a popular boy name?
Esau ranked #3184 among boys in 2025 with 37 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #2966.
When was the name Esau most popular?
Esau peaked in 2007, when 82 American boys received the name (ranked #1781 that year). Since 2007 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Esau?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 48,649 newborn American boys was named Esau. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "very rare".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.