📖 About Zeke
Zeke is an energetic short form of Ezekiel, a Hebrew name meaning "God strengthens" (from el, God, and chazaq, to strengthen). Ezekiel was a major Hebrew prophet known for powerful visions during the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BCE. While Ezekiel carries religious gravitas, Zeke emerged as a breezy, approachable diminutive with strong frontier Americana associations in the 19th century. Today it stands confidently as an independent given name, prized for its punchy brevity and character. In the US its popularity has risen steadily from rank 620 in the 2000s to 280 in the 2020s, reflecting wider appetite for short, memorable names with deep roots.
📍 Details
- OriginHebrew
- Gender♂ Male
- MeaningGod strengthens
🔀 Variants & Related Names
⭐ Famous People
- Ezekiel Elliott — American NFL running back known as "Zeke", widely considered one of the elite runners of his generation while playing for the Dallas Cowboys
- Zeke Thomas — American DJ, activist, and son of NBA legend Isiah Thomas, known for his work in LGBTQ+ advocacy and electronic music
- Zeke Hoskin — Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his work in country and acoustic pop music
- Zeke Bratkowski — American NFL quarterback who played in the 1950s-1970s and later had a long career as an NFL coach
- Ezekiel (Prophet) — Hebrew prophet and author of the Book of Ezekiel, active in Babylon in the 6th century BCE, originator of the name's legacy