Zoe

♂ Boy

Zoe Pronunciation

Zoe is pronounced ZOH-ee /ˈzoʊ.i/Medium

Meaning: From Greek zoe, 'life' (classically a girls' name); rare for boys, associated with Haitian-American usageLow

In 30 seconds: Distinctive for a boy: Zoe is best known as the Greek girls' name meaning 'life,' but also appears as a Haitian-American boys' name. Short, bold, and memorable.

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Origin LowHaitian Creole, Greek

MeaningFrom Greek zoe, 'life' (classically a girls' name); rare for boys, associated with Haitian-American usage

U.S. rank (2024)#4304 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births25 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2004

Total births (all-time)≈ 584

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 from Greek zoe, 'life' — a classic girls' name. As a boys' name in the U.S. it is rare and largely tied to Haitian-American communities. This page covers that less-common usage.

An unexpected choice for a boy — brief, bright, and easy to say.

Did you know? Zoe means 'life' in Greek and is overwhelmingly a girls' name; its rare use for boys in the U.S. is associated mainly with Haitian-American families.

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Zoe — routes layered

Variations

ZoéZo

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Zoe…

Zion— a fellow Z- boys' name

Zane— a companion Z- name

Zaire— another Z- place-rooted name

Kai— a fellow short unisex name

→ See all names like Zoe

Browse the whole category: All Haitian Creole names → · All Greek names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Zoe?

Zoe is pronounced ZOH-ee (/ˈzoʊ.i/). Press play above to hear Zoe said aloud.

How do you say Zoe?

Zoe is said ZOH-ee (/ˈzoʊ.i/). Press play above to hear Zoe said aloud.

What does the name Zoe mean?

As a boys' name, Zoe often draws on a Haitian honorific ('bones, my people'); it's distinct from the Greek girls' Zoe, 'life'. The routes are layered.

Is Zoe a boy or girl name?

Zoe is mostly a girls' name (Greek 'life'); this page covers its rarer use as a boy's name.

How popular is Zoe?

Zoe is very rare for boys in the U.S.