Zakiya

Meaning & origin

Zakiya is a feminine Arabic name meaning 'pure' or 'virtuous,' derived from the root Zaki. The name was first recorded in the United States in 1972 and reached its peak popularity in 1997, when it ranked highest among American births. Since then, its usage has been steadily declining, reflecting a broader trend away from less common Arabic-origin names. The name is given to roughly 1 in every 47,273 baby girls as of 2025, making it a rare but recognizable choice. While not strongly associated with any particular U.S. state in recent data, Zakiya has consistent use among Muslim families and those seeking a name with spiritual connotations. Its spelling variants, such as Zakiyya and Zakiyah, also appear occasionally, but Zakiya remains the most common form. The name's sound and meaning align with other Arabic-origin names like Aaliyah and Layla, offering a balance of cultural heritage and phonetic appeal.

Zakiya is the feminine form of Zaki, derived from the Arabic root z-k-y, meaning 'to be pure, virtuous, or intelligent.' The name has been used across the Arabic-speaking world and among Muslim communities globally. In the United States, it saw modest use beginning in the 1970s, with a peak in the late 1990s.