A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Zenith since 1897
Babies named Zenith per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2023, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Zenith's real moment was 1897.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 6 | 0 |
| 1900s | 19 | 0 |
| 1910s | 46 | 5 |
| 1920s | 89 | 22 |
| 1930s | 37 | 6 |
| 1940s | 44 | 0 |
| 1950s | 6 | 0 |
| 1960s | 8 | 0 |
| 1970s | 10 | 0 |
| 1980s | 5 | 0 |
| 1990s | 10 | 0 |
| 2000s | 9 | 0 |
| 2010s | 50 | 144 |
| 2020s | 109 | 250 |
Meaning & origin
Zenith is a unisex name drawn from the Arabic astronomical term for the point in the sky directly overhead, adopted into English in the medieval period. First recorded as a given name in 1897, it has seen a revival in recent years. The name peaked in usage in its year of first recording, 1897, and after a long period of low use, has been rising in popularity since 2013. As of 2025, it ranks 8860th with an incidence of about 1 in 146,115 births. The name's appeal likely lies in its aspirational meaning, evoking the idea of reaching the highest point, and its rare but established presence suits parents seeking a distinctive yet meaningful choice.
Zenith entered English from Medieval Latin 'cenit', ultimately from Arabic 'samt' (way, path), part of the phrase 'samt ar-ra's' (the way above the head). Originally an astronomical term for the point in the sky directly overhead, it came to be used figuratively for the peak of achievement or prosperity. The name was rarely used until the late 19th century, possibly influenced by the Victorian fascination with virtue names and abstract concepts.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Z, Zenny
Sibling names for Zenith
Names that share Zenith's style, for a brother or sister.
