Zea

♀ Girl

Pronounced ZEE-ah /ˈzi.ɑ/Medium

Meaning: Variously from the Greek/Latin zea, 'grain; spelt' (a cereal, as in Zea mays, 'maize'), and a short form of Zia ('light; splendour'); routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Grain; a form of Zia: Zea. Crisp, modern, and warm (said 'ZEE-ah').

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Origin LowGreek, Latin

MeaningVariously from the Greek/Latin zea, 'grain; spelt' (a cereal, as in Zea mays, 'maize'), and a short form of Zia ('light; splendour'); routes layered

U.S. rank (2024)#8401 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births13 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2013

Total births (all-time)≈ 292

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Zea is variously from the Greek/Latin zea, 'grain; spelt' (a cereal, as in Zea mays, 'maize'), and a short form of Zia ('light; splendour'; routes layered, which we note). A crisp, modern name (said 'ZEE-ah').

In the U.S. it appears as a short, modern name. Rare, grain at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Zea is variously the Greek/Latin zea, 'grain; spelt' (as in Zea mays, 'maize'), and a short form of Zia ('light') — a crisp, modern name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'ZEE-ah').

Overall data confidence 30%

References — Zea — routes layered

Variations

ZiaZeahZaya

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Zea…

Zia— a kin form

Mia— a sound-neighbor -ia girls' name

Thea— a fellow short -ea girls' name

Lea— a companion -ea girls' name

Explore names like Zea

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Zea mean?

Zea is variously Greek/Latin 'grain; spelt' and a short form of Zia ('light'); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Zea?

It's said ZEE-ah /ˈzi.ɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Zea a boy or girl name?

Zea is a girl's name.

How popular is Zea?

Zea is a very rare name in the U.S.