Zacchaeus Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: zah-KAY-us //zəˈkeɪəs//
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: pure; innocent (Hebrew); derived from the biblical figure (English)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Zacchaeus is derived from the Hebrew name זַכַּי (Zakkai), which means "pure" or "innocent." This name transitioned into Greek as Ζακχαῖος (Zakkhaíos) and subsequently appeared in Latin as Zacchaeus, before being adopted into English. The name is most notably recognized from the New Testament of the Christian Bible, where Zacchaeus is depicted as a tax collector who climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus as he passes through Jericho, illustrating themes of redemption and transformation.
Zacchaeus is mentioned specifically in the Gospel of Luke, dated to the 1st century CE, where his story serves as a moral lesson about repentance and acceptance. This narrative has been influential in Christian teachings, contributing to the name's enduring presence in various cultures.
The character of Zacchaeus has also been referenced in numerous artistic and literary works throughout the centuries, reinforcing his significance in Christian iconography. Culturally, the name Zacchaeus carries connotations of humility and the possibility of change, resonating with the broader themes of forgiveness and grace found in Christian doctrine.
The name has been embraced in various forms across different languages and cultures, often retaining its original meaning of purity. In some traditions, diminutive forms such as Zac or Zacchi are used, although these variations are less historically significant than the original form.
Overall, Zacchaeus remains a name steeped in religious and cultural history, symbolizing the transformative power of faith.
Fictional characters named Zacchaeus
The following list of fictional characters named Zacchaeus is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Zacchaeus is a fictional character from the Christian Bible, specifically the Gospel of Luke. He is a tax collector who climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus and later repents for his past actions.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zacchaeus, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Zacchaeus was first seen in the United States in 1974.
Zacchaeus has ranked as high as #1250 nationally, which occurred in 2003, and has been most popular in Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, and Mississippi.
In the past 5 years the name Zacchaeus has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Zacchaeus is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Zacchaeus was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Zacchaeus (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 10 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Zacchaeus.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 46 |
| 2023 | 68 |
| 2022 | 40 |
| 2021 | 38 |
| 2020 | 63 |
| 2019 | 57 |
| 2018 | 43 |
| 2017 | 47 |
| 2016 | 42 |
| 2015 | 49 |
| 2014 | 46 |
| 2013 | 51 |
| 2012 | 60 |
| 2011 | 66 |
| 2010 | 59 |
| 2009 | 58 |
| 2008 | 52 |
| 2007 | 63 |
| 2006 | 64 |
| 2005 | 63 |
| 2004 | 66 |
| 2003 | 71 |
| 2002 | 51 |
| 2001 | 56 |
| 2000 | 68 |
| 1999 | 54 |
| 1998 | 59 |
| 1997 | 43 |
| 1996 | 40 |
| 1995 | 35 |
| 1994 | 43 |
| 1993 | 32 |
| 1992 | 40 |
| 1991 | 18 |
| 1990 | 11 |
| 1989 | 22 |
| 1988 | 14 |
| 1987 | 17 |
| 1986 | 10 |
| 1985 | 12 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1982 | 9 |
| 1981 | 6 |
| 1980 | 9 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1978 | 5 |
| 1977 | 9 |
| 1976 | 7 |
| 1974 | 7 |