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Esau

EE-saw
Hebrew
"hairy"
Brynn McKeon
By Brynn McKeon
Updated Tue Sep 30 2025

Esau Origin and Meaning

The name Esau is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "hairy".

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!

# 964 in the US

Esau Rank in US Top 1000

# 1512 on Nameberry

Esau Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Popularity of the name Esau

20 Names Similar to Esau

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Famous People Named Esau

  • Esau de' Buondelmonti
    ruler of Epirus in Ioannina from 1385 to his death in 1411
  • Essau Boxer Kanyenda (born 27 September 1982 in Dedza
    Malawi) is a Malawian international footballer who plays as a striker for South African side Polokwane City F.C..
  • Esau Albert Schafer (born January 16
    1952) is a Canadian politician
  • Esau Tjiuoro (born 26 May 1982 in Okakarara
    Otjozondjupa Region) is a Namibian football (soccer) goalkeeper.

The name Esau in Pop Culture

  • A character in author Marya Hornbacher's novel "The Center of Winter" "My Brother Esau
    " Grateful Dead song