Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Ebenezer

Whenever people hear the name Ebenezer, they immediately think of Charles Dickens’ memorable character from “A Christmas Carol” (1843). But let’s back up a bit. Ebenezer is actually a Biblical place name found in 1 Samuel 7:12: “And Samuel took a stone, and laid it between Masphath and Sen, and he called the place Ebhen-ezer.” Ebenezer comes from the ancient Hebrew elements “ebhen” (stone) and “ezer” (help), so the prophet Samuel essentially called his monument “Stone of help” in reference to the place where the Philistines first defeated the Israelites, but where the Israelites would later exact their revenge thanks to the “help” of God. “And [Samuel] said, thus far the Lord hath helped us. And the Philistines were humbled, and they did not come any more into the borders of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines, all the days of Samuel” (1 Samuel 7:12-13). It was the Puritans in the 17th century who first adopted this obscure Biblical place name, often using it as a name for their chapels or meeting houses, before eventually converting it into a masculine given name. However, thanks to the enduring success of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, the name will forever be associated with Ebenezer Scrooge and thus synonymous with a miserly, bitter old man.

All About the Baby Name – Ebenezer

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME EBENEZER

The number Eight personality has everything to do with power, wealth and abundance. Somehow, this personality has been blessed on the material plane, but their authoritative and problem-solving traits provide evidence that their good fortunes are not just the luck of the lottery. They are well earned. This is the personality of CEOs and high-ranking military personnel. Eights are intensely active, hard-driving individuals. Success is only meaningful to them after a job well-done.  They are remarkable in their ability to see the larger picture right down to the smallest details, and organize a strategy around success. They then have the ability to direct a group around them toward any goal, and realize individual potential to get the most out of their team.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME EBENEZER

In the past 130+ years we can only find evidence of Ebenezer on America’s Top 1000 list once: at position #792 in 1884. Although Ebenezer is not found on America’s Top 1000 list, in 2012 it was bestowed on about 50 baby boys born that year. What a quirky choice in a name; although the Biblical etymology must appeal to Christian evangelicals and non-conformists. It represents the place where the Lord came to the aide of the Israelites, and saved them from the Philistines. It’s the place where a tribute was made in thanks for God’s help. Ebenezer is the “stone of help”. The name carries with it a sense of both strength as represented by the stone, and protection and compassion as represented by the word “help”.

Quick Facts

ON EBENEZER

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Hebrew

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

4

RANKING POPULARITY:

N/A

PRONUNCIATION:

eb-ə-NEE-zər

SIMPLE MEANING:

Stone of help

Characteristics

OF EBENEZER

Authoritative

Powerful

Tough

Tenacious

Wealthy

Problem-solver

Achiever

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Ebenezer

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME EBENEZER

Ebenezer Scrooge is the main character in Charles Dickens’ beloved 1843 novel, A Christmas Carol, which has given rise to numerous adaptations (as well as a cartoon character, Scrooge McDuck). Ebenezer Scrooge is a mean, cold, solitary miser, who begrudges happiness to anyone, particularly around the Christmas season. On one particular Christmas Eve, Ebenezer is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and To Come. The eye-opening scenes they depict for him make him weep for his checkered past, bemoan his present and fear his future. Scrooge is cured! He awakens with a new lease on life, and promptly begins throwing money and good cheer around in equal measures, making everyone happy. We should all be so lucky as to have such a chance at a second chance!

Ebenezer Balfour of Shaws is the evil uncle of the protagonist, David Balfour, in Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 adventure novel, Kidnapped. Indeed, he is so evil that he sets the entire plot in motion by having David kidnapped and sold into marine slavery. Having obtained the family seat, Shaws, by more or less blackmailing David’s father years earlier, Ebenezer will do anything to keep his hold on it. Mercifully for this wicked old gent, kindly young David, after surviving his many trials and tribulations, allows Ebenezer to stay there for the remainder of his life, and share the family fortunes with David. Maybe crime does pay??! Naw – ignore the evidence.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME EBENEZER

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Ebenezer


Popular Songs

ON EBENEZER

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Ebenezer


Famous People

NAMED EBENEZER

Ebenezer Allen (early American patriot, member of Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys)
Ebenezer Beesley (Mormon music composer)
Ebenezer Crummett (Revolutionary War hero)
Ebenezer Ekuban (football player)

Children of Famous People

NAMED EBENEZER

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Ebenezer

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME EBENEZER

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Ebenezer