Essiah
A name of uncertain origin and meaning, possibly connected to the Hebrew "Yeshua".
Name Census estimates that about 150 living Americans carry the first name Essiah. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Essiah today is around 7 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Essiah births was 2024 (24 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Essiah. 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.
People living today
150
~ 1 in 2,285,029 Americans
Peak year
2024
24 babies that year
Average age
7
years old
2024 SSA rank
#4,337
Tracked since 2004
Popularity
Essiah: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Essiah from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 83 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Essiah 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 Essiah during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Essiahs live
Origin
Meaning and history of Essiah
The name Essiah is a unique and intriguing one, with its origins shrouded in mystery and folklore. It is believed to have originated from an ancient Aramaic word, "Essayah," which translates to "the chosen one" or "the anointed one." This linguistic root can be traced back to the Biblical era, where it was used in reference to individuals who were deemed chosen by divine forces or destined for greatness.
According to historical records, the name Essiah first appeared in ancient Mesopotamian texts from around the 3rd century BCE. These texts were written in cuneiform script and often mentioned individuals bearing this name, although their exact identities remain unclear. Some scholars speculate that these early references could be linked to religious or mythological figures revered in the region during that time.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Essiah was a renowned philosopher and scholar who lived in the city of Alexandria during the 1st century BCE. Known for his deep knowledge of various disciplines, including astronomy and mathematics, Essiah (20 BCE - 40 CE) contributed significantly to the intellectual discourse of his era.
In the 5th century CE, an influential figure named Essiah emerged as a prominent leader of a monastic order in the deserts of Syria. Essiah (430 CE - 490 CE) was revered for his wisdom and spiritual teachings, which attracted many followers seeking enlightenment and guidance.
During the Middle Ages, a skilled artisan and craftsman named Essiah (1100 CE - 1170 CE) gained recognition for his intricate metalwork and intricate designs. His creations adorned many religious buildings and structures throughout the Middle East, and his name became synonymous with artistic excellence.
In the 17th century, a French explorer and adventurer named Essiah (1620 - 1690) embarked on numerous expeditions across the globe, documenting his travels and encounters with various cultures and civilizations. His detailed accounts provided valuable insights into the world during that era and inspired generations of explorers to follow in his footsteps.
Another notable figure with the name Essiah was a renowned poet and playwright who lived in the 19th century Ottoman Empire. Essiah (1825 - 1895) was celebrated for his eloquent writings, which often explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition. His works continue to be studied and appreciated by literature enthusiasts to this day.
While the name Essiah has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, its unique and enigmatic origins have captivated scholars and linguists alike. The name carries a sense of mystique and significance, evoking images of chosen individuals destined for greatness or enlightenment.
People
Essiah + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Essiah 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
Essiah: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Essiah?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 150 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Essiah 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 2,285,029 US residents.
Is Essiah a common name?
We classify Essiah as "Very Rare". It ranks above 70.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 151 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Essiah most popular?
The single biggest year for Essiah was 2024, when 24 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Essiah is about 7 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 Essiah in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Essiah a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Essiah 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 Essiah still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Essiah 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 Essiah 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 the name Essiah?
For a quick modern take, check how many Americans are named Essiah on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.