Holding steady.
Popularity of Zinedine since 2005
Babies named Zinedine per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 51 |
| 2010s | 87 |
| 2020s | 18 |
Meaning & origin
Zinedine is a distinctive name with uncertain origins, possibly Berber or Arabic. It entered U.S. naming records for the first time in 2005, likely inspired by French football star Zinedine Zidane, who led his team to World Cup victory in 1998. The name reached its peak popularity in 2006, the year Zidane famously headbutted an opponent in the World Cup final, cementing his legendary status. Despite this spike, Zinedine has never ranked among the top 1,000 U.S. names and remains a very rare choice, with fewer than five births per year in recent seasons. Its trajectory has been stable since its introduction, with no top states recording significant usage. The name's strong, unfamiliar sound and connection to an athlete of North African descent give it a modern, global feel.
The name Zinedine is most famously borne by French footballer Zinedine Zidane. Its etymology is debated. It may derive from the Berber ⵣⵉⵏ ⴷⵉⵏ (zin din) meaning 'one of the faith' or from an Arabic root related to adornment. The name gained international recognition through Zidane, who was born to Algerian Kabyle parents, and has been used in France and elsewhere since the late 20th century.
“Zinedine” around the world
Where Zinedine lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zizou, Zine
Variants: Zineddine, Zineddin
Sibling names for Zinedine
Names that share Zinedine's style, for a brother or sister.
