Zohar

Meaning & origin

Zohar is a distinctive unisex Hebrew name that entered U.S. records in 2001 and reached its peak popularity in 2007, with a rank of 11,932 and a frequency of 1 in 229,610 births as of 2025. The name carries the luminous meaning of 'splendor' and is deeply tied to Jewish mysticism through the Zohar, a 13th-century Kabbalistic text. While still rare, Zohar has seen stable usage over the past two decades, appealing to parents seeking a name with spiritual resonance and a modern, crisp sound. Its consistency in the rankings reflects a steady but niche appeal, particularly among families with Jewish heritage or those drawn to meaningful, non-traditional names.

Zohar derives from the Hebrew word זֹהַר (zohar), meaning 'splendor' or 'light'. It is most famously associated with the Zohar, the 13th-century mystical commentary on the Torah that forms the core of Kabbalistic literature. As a given name, Zohar has been used in Jewish communities since at least the late 20th century, sometimes given also by non-Jewish parents drawn to its luminous meaning and modern sound.