The name Ezequiel originates from the Hebrew name יְחֶזְקֵאל (Yehezqel), composed of the elements חזק (chazaq) meaning "to be strong" and אל (el) meaning "God". It is the Hebrew form of the name Ezekiel, a biblical prophet whose book is included in the Old Testament and Hebrew Bible. The name can be traced back to ancient Judah and Israel during the 6th century BCE.

The book of Ezekiel in the Bible mentions the prophet himself, who was among the Jewish captives taken to Babylon in the 6th century BCE. Ezekiel's prophetic visions and metaphors, such as the vision of the valley of dry bones, have been influential in both Jewish and Christian traditions.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Ezequiel was Ezequiel Vieira (1626-1697), a Portuguese philosopher and theologian who wrote extensively on metaphysics and ethics. Another early notable figure was Ezequiel Chavez (1868-1926), a Mexican revolutionary and general who fought alongside Pancho Villa during the Mexican Revolution.

In the 16th century, Ezequiel Martínez Cabrera (1590-1635) was a Spanish Catholic priest and writer who authored several religious works. A few centuries later, Ezequiel Adeodato Solalinde (1826-1878) was a Mexican lawyer and politician who served as the interim president of Mexico in 1858.

More recently, Ezequiel Lavezzi (born 1985) is an Argentine professional footballer who has played for several top clubs in Europe, including Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain. Ezequiel Garay (born 1986) is another Argentine footballer who has represented his national team and played for clubs like Real Madrid and Valencia.