Kezia

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A feminine first name of Hebrew origin, borne by women and girls in English-speaking countries
2. A girl's given name derived from a Hebrew word for cassia, a fragrant tree bark used in ancient perfume
3. Used as a personal first name for women, originating in the Hebrew Bible and common among Christians and Jews

Etymology: Kezia is a personal name, and its story runs through a spice. The Hebrew "qetsi'ah" names the cassia tree, a relative of cinnamon whose bark was prized in the ancient Near East as a fragrant ingredient for perfumes and incense. The Hebrew word and the English "cassia" trace back to the same plant, so the name and the spice share a root. Kezia appears in the Bible as the name of one of Job's daughters, born after his fortunes were restored, and the name was given to the daughter because of the fragrance her name evoked. That biblical association is what carried the name into English-speaking Christian communities, where it has been used as a given name for centuries.