Esau
Meaninghairy · Hebrew
Esau is a Mexican boy name meaning “hairy”, with Hebrew roots. Many Hebrew names come from the Bible, which is why they've been carried through families for thousands of years. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationEsau peaked in 1890, which makes it a Victorian-era favorite, the kind of name you'd find on a great-great-grandparent.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Esau would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 46,083 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryEsau has been in use since at least 1880, the first year US birth records were kept. That's 145 years of Esaus, and counting.
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Esau
Esau is a boy name of Mexican origin meaning “hairy”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It was most fashionable in the 1890s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Mexican names
More Mexican boy names
- Boy name: Liam · resolute protector
- Boy name: Oliver · olive tree
- Boy name: Mateo · gift of God
- Boy name: Lucas · man from Lucania
- Boy name: Benjamin · son of the right hand
- Unisex name: Elias · my God is Yahweh
- Unisex name: Luca · man from Lucania
- Boy name: Sebastian · venerable
Questions about the name Esau
What does the name Esau mean?
Esau means “hairy” and comes from Hebrew. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Cesar (“possibly hairy”).
What is the origin of the name Esau?
Esau is Mexican in origin, and its meaning traces back to Hebrew. Other Mexican names to consider are Liam (“resolute protector”), Oliver (“olive tree”), Mateo (“gift of God”) and Lucas (“man from Lucania”).
Is Esau a boy or girl name?
Esau is a boy name. In 2025, 37 US boys were named Esau.
How popular is the name Esau?
Esau ranked #3,181 for US boys in 2025, given to 37 babies. Its best year was 1890, when it reached #884. Over the last five years it has slipped 156 places.
What names are similar to Esau?
If you like Esau, you might also like Cesar.
What should I know before naming my baby Esau?
Esau is a Mexican boy name meaning “hairy”, with Hebrew roots. Many Hebrew names come from the Bible, which is why they've been carried through families for thousands of years. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.