Zoe

♀ Girl

Pronounced ZOH-ee /ˈzoʊ.i/High

Meaning: Life; the living oneHigh

In 30 seconds: Directly from the Greek for 'life,' Zoe is the Greek translation of the Hebrew name Eve. It has been a perennial U.S. top-40 name since the 1990s.

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Origin HighGreek

MeaningLife; the living one

Peak year2012

Total births (all-time)≈ 121,774

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Zoe comes directly from the Greek zōē (ζωή), meaning 'life.' It was used by early Christians as a Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Eve. It was also a common name in the Byzantine Empire, borne by two empresses.

Zoe was uncommon in English-speaking countries until the 20th century. It grew in use from the 1970s onward, entering the U.S. top 100 in 1995 and climbing steadily, reaching the top 40 by the mid-2000s. The spelling Zoey has also become popular as an alternative.

Did you know? The name Zoe was used by early Greek-speaking Christians as a translation of the Hebrew name Chava (Eve), which also means 'life' or 'living.' Two Byzantine empresses bore this name, including Zoe Porphyrogenita (c. 978–1050).

Variations

ZoeyZoëZoiZoie

Nicknames

ZoZee

Famous Bearers

★Zoe Porphyrogenita (c. 978–1050)
Byzantine empress, one of the last of the Macedonian dynasty.
★Zoe Saldana (1978–)
American actress known for Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy.

If you like Zoe…

Chloe— shares the Greek origin and the same modern buoyant feel

Mia— equally brief, bright girls' name in the global top ranks

Luna— shares the two-syllable soft appeal

Nora— equally gentle two-syllable classic

Isla— another crisp international girls' name in the top ranks

Frequently Asked

What does the name Zoe mean?

Zoe comes from the Greek word for 'life,' and was used by early Christians as a Greek translation of the Hebrew name Eve (Chava), which also means 'living.'

How do you pronounce Zoe?

Zoe is said ZOH-ee /ˈzoʊ.i/ — two syllables, with stress on the first.

Is Zoe a boy or girl name?

Zoe is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Zoe?

Zoe has ranked in the U.S. top 40 girls' names since the mid-2000s and has remained there consistently, with the Zoey spelling adding further to its overall reach.