Declining since 1985, #4,857 for boys today.
Popularity of Zebulon since 1891
Babies named Zebulon per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 6 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 19 |
| 1920s | 19 |
| 1930s | 9 |
| 1940s | 18 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 16 |
| 1970s | 341 |
| 1980s | 610 |
| 1990s | 416 |
| 2000s | 281 |
| 2010s | 272 |
| 2020s | 137 |
Meaning & origin
Zebulon has been a fixture in American naming records since 1891, when it first appeared in Social Security data. Its peak year was 1979, but the name has been on a falling trajectory since 1985, reflecting a broader decline in biblical names that were never widely adopted. Today, Zebulon is exceptionally rare, with a 2025 rank of 4857 corresponding to a frequency of 1 in 85,404 births. The name carries strong historical and biblical associations, appealing to parents drawn to Old Testament names outside the mainstream. Despite its rarity, Zebulon maintains a consistent presence, anchored by the nickname Zeb.
Zebulon is derived from the Hebrew name Zevulun, meaning 'exaltation' or 'dwelling.' In the Hebrew Bible, Zebulon is the sixth son of Jacob and Leah and the founder of the Tribe of Zebulon. The name has been used among English speakers since the Protestant Reformation, though it has never been common. Its use in the United States dates back to the colonial period, and it has been consistently rare but present in records.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zeb
Sibling names for Zebulon
Names that share Zebulon's style, for a brother or sister.
