Declining since 2022, #5,410 for girls today.
Popularity of Zarya since 1997
Babies named Zarya per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 31 |
| 2000s | 175 |
| 2010s | 262 |
| 2020s | 199 |
Meaning & origin
Zarya entered the U.S. naming scene in 1997, a relatively recent arrival with ancient roots. Its meaning, 'dawn' or 'sunrise,' directly references the Slavic word and a goddess of the same name. The name saw a notable increase in usage around the 2010s, possibly influenced by the Overwatch character, and reached its peak rank of 5,410 in 2022. Since then, its trajectory has been falling, with the downturn beginning in 2022. Despite recent declines, Zarya remains a distinctive choice with a strong cultural background, tied to Slavic mythology and the natural imagery of the morning sun.
Zarya is a direct borrowing from the Slavic word for 'dawn' or 'sunrise,' cognate with Russian заря (zarya). In Slavic mythology, Zarya is a goddess associated with dawn and light. The name has seen modern use, partly popularized by the video game Overwatch, but its roots are ancient.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zara, Zarya
Sibling names for Zarya
Names that share Zarya's style, for a brother or sister.
