Rising since 1993, #9,457 for girls today.
Popularity of Zea since 1992
Babies named Zea per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 27 |
| 2000s | 106 |
| 2010s | 124 |
| 2020s | 45 |
Meaning & origin
Zea is a rare and modern name that first appeared on the U.S. baby name charts in 1992. Its origins are uncertain, but it fits a pattern of short, vowel-heavy names beginning with 'Z', a letter that has grown in fashion among modern parents. While never common, the name reached its peak popularity in 2013, and as of 2025 it remains very uncommon, with roughly 1 in every 160,727 baby girls receiving the name. This places it in the far tail of the distribution, far from the top 1,000 names. The name shows a rising trajectory from the 1990s onward, but its absolute numbers are tiny, suggesting it appeals to a small niche of parents looking for a highly distinctive, modern-sounding name.
The name Zea first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1992. Its origins are unclear, but it may be a modern invention, possibly inspired by the botanical genus Zea (corn or maize) or formed from the trendy 'Z' initial combined with the popular '-ea' ending seen in names like Leah or Rhea. It has seen modest use since the 1990s, rising in popularity through the 2000s and 2010s.
Sibling names for Zea
Names that share Zea's style, for a brother or sister.
