MallowbyNames

Zhen

ZHEN · Precious, treasure; also can mean chaste or pure depending on the Chinese character.

2025 rank (boys)
#10,695
Babies named in 2025
6
Peak popularity
2023
2025 frequency
1 in 284,679 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Rising since 2011

Rising since 2011, #10,695 for boys today.

Popularity of Zhen since 1995

Babies named Zhen per year in U.S. Social Security records.

71421200020102020Most births 2023GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1990s05
2000s012
2010s1522
2020s755

Meaning & origin

Zhen is a Chinese name that entered the US baby name charts in 1995, reflecting growing multicultural influences. As of 2025, it ranks 10,695, with a frequency of about 1 in 284,679 newborns. Its popularity has been rising since 2011, peaking in 2023. While not yet common, Zhen represents a trend toward authentic, globally-inspired names. Its simplicity and meaningful characters appeal to parents seeking a name with depth and cultural resonance.

Zhen is a Chinese name derived from characters such as 珍 (precious, treasure) or 贞 (chaste, pure). It is often used as a unisex name in China, though in the US it is recorded more frequently for boys. The name has been in use in the United States since at least 1995, reflecting increased cultural exchange and immigration from China.

Sibling names for Zhen

Names that share Zhen's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Mei, Ling, Xia, Ying, Lei, Yue

Brothers: Chen, Wei, Jian, Long, Hong, Hao, Meng, Zhi

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

Z is for Zhen, our favorite little boy.

Z is for Zhen…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Zhen's letter becomes Zhen's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Zhen's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Zhen mean?
Zhen can mean 'precious' or 'treasure' from the Chinese character 珍, or 'chaste' and 'pure' from 贞, depending on the character used.
How popular is the name Zhen?
Zhen is a rare name in the United States. In 2025, it ranked 10,695 and was given to about 1 in 284,679 newborns.
Is Zhen a boy's name or a girl's name?
In the US, Zhen is more commonly used for boys, though it can be unisex. The digest data classifies it as a boy's name.