Rising since 1986, #503 for boys today.
Popularity of Zaire since 1974
Babies named Zaire per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 17 | 63 |
| 1980s | 29 | 44 |
| 1990s | 417 | 732 |
| 2000s | 565 | 2,125 |
| 2010s | 325 | 2,876 |
| 2020s | 79 | 3,625 |
Meaning & origin
Zaire first appeared on the U.S. naming charts in 1974, around the same time the country now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo changed its name to Zaire. The name has been gaining in popularity since 1986, reflecting a broader trend of place and river names being adopted as given names. It peaked in 2023 at the height of its modern usage; as of 2025, it ranked 503rd with approximately 1 in 2,842 newborn boys being named Zaire. The name enjoys particular favor in the southern states, with Mississippi, Georgia, and Connecticut showing the highest relative usage. Zaire's etymology, rooted in the Kikongo language, connects it to the mighty Congo River, giving it a strong geographical and cultural resonance.
Zaire originates from the Kikongo word 'nzadi' or 'nzere,' meaning 'the river that swallows all rivers,' which was used by local populations to refer to the Congo River. Portuguese explorers adapted the term as 'Zaire' in the 15th and 16th centuries. The name was later adopted by the Republic of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) from 1971 to 1997 under Mobutu Sese Seko. As a given name, Zaire has been used primarily in African American communities since the late 20th century.
Where Zaire is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Zaire” around the world
Where Zaire lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zay, Z, Zai
Sibling names for Zaire
Names that share Zaire's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Zara, Kai, Nyla, Amara, Sanaa, Amani, Ayanna, Imani, Jakayla, Nyasia, Imari, Jalayah, Jamia, Janiah, Kamara, Karisma, Mecca, Nairobi, Nariah, Nubia, Shamya, Takia, Akiyah, Damiya, Jabria, Jahniya, Jailani, Jamara, Jameria, Jayana, Kamirah, Kijana, Najae, Naziah, Niara, Nigeria, Rakia, Shariah, Shariyah, Talayah, Talaysia, Tunisia, Anaysia, Armanie, Ashaki, Ashunti, Cimani, Damali, Imara, Jahniyah, Jameah, Janaria, Janayla, Kamayah, Kanijah, Kenyata, Malaiyah, Maryiah, Nikiyah, Sakeena, Sakiya, Serayah, Shakari, Shamyah, Ymani, Zendayah, Ahjanae, Amariyana, Amijah, Amunique, Azhane, Dajha, Darriona, Dereona, Haliyah, Iyania, Jahmia, Jahniah, Jahzaria, Jalaila, Jaleeah, Jamariya, Jendayi, Kamariyah, Keyuna, Khaniya, Kinshasa, Marjani, Markiyah, Naturi, Niamani, Nygeria, Olani, Semiyah, Shikira, Tanganyika, Tiombe, Zakyia, Zamyia, Zniyah
Brothers: Zion, Khalil, Malik, Omari, Jabari, Amiri, Khari, Khyree, Shomari, Damani, Jahari, Zamari, Amarius, Dacari, Dakhari, Demani, Jahkai, Jamahl, Kamauri, Khyren, Kyrese, Montae, Nyaire, Rahmir, Syaire, Ahmere, Akhari, Dakarri, Jabri, Jahkeem, Jahsir, Jahzir, Jamol, Jaquari, Javarus, Jawanza, Jhacari, Jibri, Jyair, Kamarii, Khayree, Makhari, Maleke, Maurion, Myaire, Nakeem, Nysir, Nyzaiah, Quavion, Tabari, Tahjae, Zyheir, Jahbari, Atiba, Dekhari, Hikeem, Jabaree, Jabarie, Jahking, Jahmire, Jahzier, Jakyri, Maasai, Makaveli, Omarii, Shyhiem, Taheem, Zyshonne
