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Home › Baby Names Directory › Zaire

Zaire

♀ Girl

Pronounced zah-EER /zɑˈir/Medium

Meaning: From the African place Zaire — via the Kikongo nzere/nzadi, 'the river that swallows all rivers' (a former name of the Congo); a place-name; used for both sexes; here for girls; we note the placeLow

In 30 seconds: The river that swallows all rivers: Zaire is an African place-name. Crisp, modern, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for girls).
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Origin LowKikongo
MeaningFrom the African place Zaire — via the Kikongo nzere/nzadi, 'the river that swallows all rivers' (a former name of the Congo); a place-name; used for both sexes; here for girls; we note the place
U.S. rank (2025)#13156 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2000
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,432

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200019752025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Zaire comes from the African place Zaire — via the Kikongo nzere/nzadi, 'the river that swallows all rivers' (a former name of the Congo); a place-name (we note the place). Used for both sexes, here for a girl (slug distinguished; said 'zah-EER').

In the U.S. it appears for both sexes. Rare for girls, the-great-river at the root, and modern.

Did you know? Zaire comes from the Kikongo nzere/nzadi, 'the river that swallows all rivers' (a former name of the Congo) — a crisp place-name used for both sexes (here for girls; we note the place; said 'zah-EER').
Overall data confidence 38%
References — Zaire — place-name; unisex

Variations

ZayreZaira

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Zaire mean?

Zaire is an African place-name — Kikongo 'the river that swallows all rivers' (a former name of the Congo); used for both sexes; here for a girl. We note the place.

How do you pronounce Zaire?

It's said zah-EER /zɑˈir/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Zaire a boy or girl name?

Zaire is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Zaire?

Zaire is a very rare name for girls in the U.S.

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