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Home › Baby Names Directory › Zema

Zema

♀ Girl

Pronounced ZEE-mah /ˈzi.mə/Medium

Meaning: From Ge'ez/Amharic zema, 'a melody; a sacred chant; the chant of the Ethiopian Church'; also a modern short form; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A melody; a sacred chant: Zema is Ge'ez/Amharic. Lyrical, modern, and warm (said 'ZEE-mah').
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Origin LowAmharic, Geez
MeaningFrom Ge'ez/Amharic zema, 'a melody; a sacred chant; the chant of the Ethiopian Church'; also a modern short form; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#9450 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births11 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2019
Total births (all-time)≈ 170

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201920112025

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

Zema comes from Ge'ez/Amharic zema, 'a melody; a sacred chant; the chant of the Ethiopian Church'; it is also a modern short form (routes layered, which we note). A lyrical, modern name (said 'ZEE-mah').

In the U.S. it appears in Ethiopian families. Rare, a-melody at the root, and modern.

Did you know? Zema means 'a melody; a sacred chant' in Ge'ez/Amharic (the chant tradition of the Ethiopian Church) — a lyrical, modern name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'ZEE-mah').
Overall data confidence 36%
References — Zema — routes layered

Variations

ZimaZemah

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Zema…

Zara— a sound-neighbor Z- girls' name
Hana— a companion Ethiopian girls' name
Mela— a kin Ethiopian-style girls' name
Arsema— another Amharic name
Heran— a fellow Amharic choice

Explore names like Zema

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Zema mean?

Zema is Ge'ez/Amharic for 'a melody; a sacred chant'; also a modern short form; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Zema?

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

Is Zema a boy or girl name?

Zema is a girl's name.

How popular is Zema?

Zema is a rare name in the U.S.

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