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Zoe

/ZOH-ee/

Zoe is a girl name of Greek origin, meaning Life.

  • GenderGirl
  • OriginGreek
  • StyleModern
  • Syllables1
  • US rank#39

What does Zoe mean?

Life

From the Greek zoe, "life". Hellenistic Jews in Alexandria used Zoe to translate the Hebrew name Chavah (Eve), which also means "life" - making Zoe and Eve the same name in two languages.

The story behind the name

Zoe was borne by early Christian martyrs and later by Zoe Porphyrogenita, who ruled the Byzantine Empire in her own right in the eleventh century and had three husbands crowned emperor beside her.

The name stayed largely Greek and Orthodox until the nineteenth century, when English speakers picked it up. It rose sharply from the 1990s in the United States, France, and the Netherlands, helped by being short, bright and unmistakably spelled - even if the diaeresis in Zoë is now usually dropped.

Notable people named Zoe

  • Zoe Porphyrogenita, Byzantine empress
  • Zoe Saldana, actor
  • Zoë Wanamaker, actor

How popular is Zoe?

Popularity in the United States

Zoe has been given to 137,271 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

About 1 in 348 babies born in the United States were given this name in the most recent year on record.

03,2396,478188019502020
Babies named Zoe per year in the United States, 1880–2020. Source: Social Security Administration

Popularity in France

Zoe has been given to 603 babies in France since 2010, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

03059201020162022
Babies named Zoe per year in France, 2010–2022. Source: INSEE

Popularity in Spain

There are 9,402 people called Zoe living in Spain, with an average age of 9.1.

137,271 Babies named since 1880
2010s Peak decade
Rising Recent trend

Variants and related names

Other spellings: Zoey, Zoie, Zoë, Zoya

Related names: Eve, Chloe, Zara, Eva

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Frequently asked questions about Zoe

What does the name Zoe mean?

Zoe means Life. It is of Greek origin.

Is Zoe a boy's or a girl's name?

Zoe is most often given to girls.

How do you pronounce Zoe?

Zoe is pronounced ZOH-ee.

How popular is the name Zoe?

Zoe has been given to 137,271 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

What are other spellings of Zoe?

Common variants include Zoey, Zoie, Zoë, Zoya.