Names That Mean Hairy

An energetic and compact Spanish name, likely derived from Esaias or Esau, it is best associated with actor Esai Morales of American Family and Bad Boys fame. Pronounced as EH-sye in Spanish, it may also be said as ee-SYE in English.
 
A short form of Esaius, inspired by Esau perhaps, Esai may be viewed as a variation of popular Biblical name Isaiah, meaning "salvation of the Lord". If you look to Esau as another source, however, it could mean "hairy", in reference to the tough and hardened appearance of the Biblical Esau. 
 
Coinciding with the Indonesian word for "essay" (from the French essai), Esai is a rare but rising choice in the US, given to 117 boys in a recent year — double the number it was used to a decade earlier. It could make a cool, less popular alternative to on-trend options like Ezra, Levi, Eli, and Silas.

Esai

A once neglected Biblical name, not seen in the US popularity charts since 1902, Esau has been seeing renewed interest in recent years. Appealing perhaps to those looking for alternatives to Elias, Ezra, and Ethan, it was the name of Jacob's twin brother, son of Isaac and Rebecca in the Bible.
 
With the (perhaps unfortunate) meaning of "hairy" owing to his rugged appearance, Esau's story is one of drama and tragedy. A tough, outdoorsy character and his father's favorite, he is said to have sold his birthright for a pot of pottage when starving. His twin later disguises himself as Esau in order to receive a blessing from his father, in turn, taking Esau's inheritance. The theft leads to a rift between them, but they do ultimately reconcile. 
 
Given to 40 boys in a recent year, Esau appears in the name of a Grateful Dead song, and is heard in the jingle "I saw Esau on the see-saw", which might be a good way to explain the pronunciation!

Esau

Esau is a rarely-used Old Testament name in the US, perhaps due to the character's biblical fate. Isav is one step removed, which may make it more palatable to parents.

Names That Mean Hairy

The names

Esai

Esau

Isav