Rising since 2007, #3,658 for boys today.
Popularity of Zeal since 2006
Babies named Zeal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5 | 12 |
| 2010s | 6 | 54 |
| 2020s | 6 | 109 |
Meaning & origin
Zeal is a modern word name that has grown steadily since it first entered U.S. Social Security records in 2006. By 2023, it had reached a rank of 3,658, with approximately 1 in 56,936 newborns receiving the name that year. The name's peak year so far is 2025, suggesting continued upward momentum. Its trajectory has been consistently rising since 2007, marking it as an emerging choice among parents seeking a distinctive virtue name. In 2023, the name was most common in Texas, which recorded the highest number of Zeals among all states. As a direct adoption of the English word for passionate dedication, Zeal fits into a broader trend of inspirational word names like Valor and Prosper.
Zeal is a direct adoption of the English noun zeal, which comes from the Latin zelus and Greek zēlos, meaning 'ardor, fervor.' Rarely used as a given name before the 21st century, it has seen modest modern use as a word name reflecting positive qualities. Its popularity in the United States has grown slowly but steadily since first appearing in Social Security records in 2006.
Where Zeal is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ze
Sibling names for Zeal
Names that share Zeal's style, for a brother or sister.
