Esjay
A feminine name of unknown origin with no agreed-upon meaning.
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Esjay. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Esjay today is around 8 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Esjay births was 2018 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Esjay. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Esjay. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
2018
5 babies that year
Average age
8
years old
2018 SSA rank
#12,738
Tracked since 2018
Popularity
Esjay: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Esjay by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Esjay during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Esjay
The given name Esjay has a rich and diverse history, spanning across various cultures and time periods. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Celtic language, where it is derived from the word "esgud," meaning "to protect" or "to shield." This name was particularly prevalent among the Celtic tribes inhabiting the British Isles and parts of modern-day France during the Iron Age.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Esjay can be found in ancient Welsh manuscripts dating back to the 6th century AD. These manuscripts often referenced individuals with this name as brave warriors or respected clan leaders. Additionally, the name appears in several Irish legends and folk tales, where it is associated with heroic figures and legendary warriors.
Throughout history, the name Esjay has been borne by notable individuals who have left a significant impact on various fields. One of the earliest known figures was Esjay the Wise, a renowned Celtic philosopher and scholar who lived in the 8th century AD. His writings on various topics, including astronomy and natural philosophy, were highly influential during that era.
In the 12th century, Esjay the Bold was a prominent figure in the Crusades, known for his bravery and leadership on the battlefields of the Holy Land. His exploits were documented in several contemporary chronicles, and he was celebrated as a valiant knight.
During the Renaissance period, Esjay Vandenbergh (1520-1590) was a renowned Flemish painter whose works are still displayed in several prestigious museums across Europe. His masterpieces, depicting religious scenes and portraits, are considered important examples of the Northern Renaissance art movement.
In the 19th century, Esjay Williamson (1832-1891) was a prominent British engineer who made significant contributions to the development of early steam engines and locomotives. His innovative designs and patents played a crucial role in the advancement of industrial technology during the Industrial Revolution.
Another notable figure bearing the name Esjay was Esjay Mbatha (1901-1976), a South African political activist and leader who played a pivotal role in the struggle against apartheid. His unwavering commitment to justice and equality earned him widespread respect and admiration, both within South Africa and internationally.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the name Esjay, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human experience and achievement.
People
Esjay + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Esjay as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with E
Other first names starting with E with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Esjay: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Esjay?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Esjay going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Esjay a common name?
We classify Esjay as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Esjay most popular?
The single biggest year for Esjay was 2018, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Esjay is about 8 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Esjay in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Esjay a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Esjay in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Esjay still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Esjay in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Esjay can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have Esjay as a first name?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.