The nameZoe
Zoe is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning "life". Short and lively, it is popular in the English-speaking world and across Europe.
- Girl's name
- Greek
Meaning
Zoe comes from the Greek zōē, "life". Hellenistic Jews used it to translate Eve, "living".
Origin
Greek. Several early saints bore it, and the Byzantine empress Zoe reigned in the 11th century.
History
Zoe became popular in Britain in the 1970s and 1980s and in the United States in the 2000s, where it reached the top 30. Zoé is the French spelling.
Zoe in other languages
Zoé is the French spelling of Zoe, often written Zoë in Britain and the Netherlands. It is Zoja in Russian and Polish.
Nicknames for Zoe
The most common nicknames for Zoe: Zo.
Did you know?
- In 1042 Empress Zoe ruled the Byzantine Empire jointly with her sister Theodora.
Famous people named Zoe
- Empress Zoe of Byzantium
- Zoe Saldaña, actress
- Zoë Kravitz, actress
- Zoe Ball, broadcaster
Popularity of the name Zoe
Zoe in the United States
Zoe was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 58,246 births over the decade, 37% of all recorded babies named Zoe. Its rise began around 1991, and it peaked in 2012. Half of all babies named Zoe in the United States were born before 2010, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 5,110 births a year.
Zoe in the United Kingdom
Zoe was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 11,533 births over the decade, 42% of all recorded babies named Zoe. Half of all babies named Zoe in the United Kingdom were born before 2007, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 552 births a year on average, against 664 in the five years before.
Zoe in Ireland
Zoe in France
Zoe in Belgium
Zoe in Switzerland
Zoe in Austria
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Zoe
Names from the same generation as Zoe, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Zoe? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Zoe with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Zoe side by side with the name of your choice.
Zoe in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zoe mean?
Zoe comes from the Greek zōē, "life". Hellenistic Jews used it to translate Eve, "living".
What is the origin of the name Zoe?
Greek. Several early saints bore it, and the Byzantine empress Zoe reigned in the 11th century.
Is Zoe a girl's or a boy's name?
Zoe is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Zoe?
In 2024, Zoe was the 29th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 5,719 births.
What are the variants of the name Zoe?
Variants and related names of Zoe include Zoey.
What are good sibling names for Zoe?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Lydia, Chloe, Sophie and Ariana for a sister, Luke, George, Lucas and Isaac for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Zoe?
The most common nicknames for Zoe are Zo.
Who are famous people named Zoe?
Empress Zoe of Byzantium; Zoe Saldaña, actress; Zoë Kravitz, actress; Zoe Ball, broadcaster.