Zalman Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ZAL-muhn //ˈzɑːlmən//
Origin: Hebrew; Yiddish
Meaning: Hebrew: 'peaceful' or 'calm'; Yiddish: 'the one who is peaceful'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Zalman has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the name "Shlomo" (שלמה), which means "peace." The name evolved through various linguistic adaptations, with "Zalman" emerging as a Yiddish variant of "Shlomo." The transition from Hebrew to Yiddish reflects the historical migration and cultural exchanges among Jewish communities in Eastern Europe, where Yiddish became a prominent vernacular language. The name entered the English-speaking world primarily through Jewish immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries, as Yiddish-speaking Jews settled in various parts of the United States and other English-speaking countries.
Historically, the name Zalman is associated with notable figures within Jewish tradition. One prominent example is Zalman of Liadi, a revered Hasidic leader and the founder of the Chabad movement in the late 18th century.
His teachings and writings significantly influenced Jewish spirituality and practice, contributing to the name's enduring significance within Jewish culture. The name is also mentioned in various Jewish texts and has been borne by several rabbinical figures throughout the centuries, further solidifying its place in Jewish history.
Culturally, Zalman carries connotations of wisdom and peace, reflecting the qualities associated with its Hebrew root. It is often linked to themes of leadership and moral integrity, resonating with the values upheld in Jewish tradition.
The name's Yiddish form has also led to affectionate diminutives, such as "Zal," which are used in familial and community contexts. Overall, Zalman embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic, historical, and cultural significance that has allowed it to endure across generations.
Famous people named Zalman
In this section, you will find notable people named Zalman. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Zalman who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Zalman who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Zalman King is a filmmaker and screenwriter best known for 9½ Weeks, Wild Orchid, and the television series Red Shoe Diaries.
Zalman Shazar was a writer and politician best known for serving as the third President of Israel.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zalman, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Zalman. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Zalman was first seen in the United States in 1949.
Zalman has ranked as high as #8377 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in New York, and New Jersey.
In the past 5 years the name Zalman has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Zalman 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 Zalman was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Zalman.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 21 | 21 |
| 2024 | 24 | 24 |
| 2023 | 26 | 26 |
| 2022 | 19 | 19 |
| 2021 | 27 | 27 |
| 2020 | 12 | 12 |
| 2019 | 21 | 21 |
| 2018 | 20 | 20 |
| 2017 | 14 | 14 |
| 2016 | 18 | 18 |
| 2015 | 22 | 22 |
| 2014 | 18 | 18 |
| 2013 | 5 | 5 |
| 2012 | 18 | 18 |
| 2011 | 8 | 8 |
| 2010 | 18 | 18 |
| 2009 | 18 | 18 |
| 2008 | 13 | 13 |
| 2007 | 20 | 20 |
| 2006 | 14 | 14 |
| 2005 | 16 | 16 |
| 2004 | 13 | 13 |
| 2003 | 9 | 9 |
| 2002 | 12 | 12 |
| 2001 | 13 | 13 |
| 2000 | 10 | 10 |
| 1999 | 11 | 11 |
| 1998 | 11 | 11 |
| 1997 | 6 | 6 |
| 1996 | 15 | 15 |
| 1995 | 8 | 8 |
| 1994 | 11 | 11 |
| 1993 | 9 | 9 |
| 1992 | 12 | 12 |
| 1991 | 7 | 7 |
| 1990 | 8 | 8 |
| 1989 | 7 | 7 |
| 1988 | 15 | 15 |
| 1987 | 7 | 7 |
| 1986 | 11 | 11 |
| 1985 | 8 | 8 |
| 1984 | 6 | 6 |
| 1982 | 9 | 9 |
| 1981 | 8 | 8 |
| 1980 | 5 | 5 |
| 1979 | 8 | 8 |
| 1978 | 10 | 10 |
| 1977 | 5 | 5 |
| 1976 | 8 | 8 |
| 1975 | 6 | 6 |
| 1973 | 5 | 5 |
| 1971 | 5 | 5 |
| 1968 | 5 | 5 |
| 1966 | 5 | 5 |
| 1964 | 5 | 5 |
| 1961 | 6 | 6 |
| 1959 | 5 | 5 |
| 1954 | 5 | 5 |
| 1949 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Zalman (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 10 | |
| NJ | 5 |