Zeb Boy

Popularity: #926 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ZEB /zɛb/

Origin: Hebrew; English

Meaning: Hebrew: 'God has heard'; English: diminutive of Zebulon

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Zeb is derived from the Hebrew name "Zev," which means "wolf." This etymology traces back to the ancient Semitic roots, where the word for wolf is associated with strength and ferocity. The name entered the English language through the transliteration of Hebrew texts, particularly during the periods of biblical translation into Greek and Latin, and later into Old French before becoming established in Middle English.

The biblical figure Zebulun, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, is often linked to the name, as Zebulun is associated with the tribe that bore his name, which is mentioned in the Book of Genesis, dating back to the 15th century BCE. Historically, the name Zeb has been used in various forms, including as a diminutive of Zebulon or Zebedee, both of which have biblical origins.

The name Zebulon appears in the Old Testament, where it is noted that the tribe of Zebulun was associated with maritime activities and trade, reflecting the cultural significance of the name in ancient Israelite society. The name Zebedee, on the other hand, is linked to a New Testament figure, the father of the apostles James and John, further embedding the name within the Christian tradition.

Culturally, the name Zeb has resonated through various literary and artistic expressions, often symbolizing loyalty and companionship, akin to the characteristics attributed to wolves in folklore and mythology. The enduring nature of the name can be attributed to its strong historical roots and the positive associations with its meanings.

The simplicity and strength of the name have allowed it to maintain relevance across different cultures and eras, reflecting a timeless appeal.

Fictional characters named Zeb

The following list of fictional characters named Zeb 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.

Zeb Orrelios is a fictional character from the animated series Star Wars Rebels. He is a Lasat warrior and a key member of the Ghost crew, known for his strength and loyalty.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zeb, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ZaneZaraZeke

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Zeb. 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.

ZebulonZekeZaneZaraZionZanderZiaZora

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Zeb was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Zeb has ranked as high as #2697 nationally, which occurred in 1979, and has been most popular in North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, California, and Iowa.

In the past 5 years the name Zeb has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Zeb 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 Zeb 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 Zeb.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 12 12
2024 13 13
2023 14 14
2022 18 18
2021 17 17
2020 14 14
2019 10 10
2018 23 23
2017 15 15
2016 25 25
2015 16 16
2014 31 31
2013 27 27
2012 31 31
2011 32 32
2010 18 18
2009 27 27
2008 35 35
2007 25 25
2006 31 31
2005 33 33
2004 28 28
2003 35 35
2002 30 30
2001 35 35
2000 26 26
1999 26 26
1998 19 19
1997 22 22
1996 18 18
1995 28 28
1994 27 27
1993 24 24
1992 17 17
1991 34 34
1990 24 24
1989 17 17
1988 24 24
1987 18 18
1986 21 21
1985 13 13
1984 35 35
1983 34 34
1982 22 22
1981 35 35
1980 40 40
1979 65 65
1978 59 59
1977 26 26
1976 20 20
1975 12 12
1974 17 17
1973 14 14
1972 11 11
1971 9 9
1970 8 8
1969 6 6
1968 8 8
1967 10 10
1966 8 8
1965 11 11
1964 12 12
1963 6 6
1962 9 9
1961 9 9
1960 17 17
1959 12 12
1958 15 15
1957 21 21
1956 12 12
1955 15 15
1954 11 11
1953 11 11
1952 11 11
1951 16 16
1950 14 14
1949 16 16
1948 11 11
1947 14 14
1946 17 17
1945 17 17
1944 16 16
1943 14 14
1942 20 20
1941 11 11
1940 16 16
1939 12 12
1938 15 15
1937 17 17
1936 12 12
1935 20 20
1934 14 14
1933 30 30
1932 23 23
1931 23 23
1930 29 29
1929 28 28
1928 25 25
1927 26 26
1926 28 28
1925 35 35
1924 41 41
1923 31 31
1922 48 48
1921 37 37
1920 28 28
1919 30 30
1918 42 42
1917 23 23
1916 24 24
1915 26 26
1914 31 31
1913 18 18
1912 17 17
1911 10 10
1910 7 7
1909 12 12
1908 6 6
1907 5 5
1906 6 6
1905 8 8
1904 11 11
1903 12 12
1902 8 8
1901 5 5
1900 8 8
1899 8 8
1898 7 7
1896 13 13
1895 11 11
1894 6 6
1893 6 6
1892 7 7
1891 8 8
1890 8 8
1889 8 8
1888 16 16
1887 8 8
1886 8 8
1885 5 5
1884 11 11
1883 13 13
1882 10 10
1881 10 10
1880 10 10

Top States for Zeb (2022)

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
NC 6
100%