Zeba

Meaning & origin

Zeba is a rare feminine name in the United States. First recorded in 1982, it reached its peak usage in 2014, when it ranked 6,542. Usage has remained stable in the 2010s and 2020s, with fewer than 10 annual births in most years. The name is predominantly used in South Asian and Muslim communities, reflecting its likely Arabic origins as a variant of Zaynab. Zeba is consistently given to girls and has never been recorded for boys. Although it has no top state concentration, its usage is scattered across diverse populations. While the exact etymology is uncertain, Zeba carries cultural resonance through its connection to Zaynab, a name borne by a daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Its short, melodic sound makes it a distinctive choice that remains uncommon in the broader American naming landscape.

Zeba is likely a variant or short form of Zaynab, a name of Arabic origin traditionally meaning 'fragrant flower' or 'father's precious jewel'. Zaynab was the name of a daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, lending the name historical significance in Islamic culture. The shortened form Zeba has been used in South Asian and Muslim communities as a given name.