Zac

Meaning & origin

Zac is a concise, modern spelling of the classic nickname for Zachary. First recorded in 1957, it reached its peak rank of 3181 in 2014 and has since been declining in use. In 2025, approximately 1 in 46,164 boys was named Zac, reflecting its continued but niche presence. The name was most common in New Jersey and California, indicating a preference in more diverse states. Zac maintains a clean, straightforward image that appeals to parents seeking a short, strong name with biblical roots.

Zac originated as a diminutive of Zachary (from Hebrew Zechariah, meaning 'God has remembered'). It emerged as an independent given name in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century. The spelling Zac follows a trend toward simplified, phonetic forms of biblical names.