Zebulon Boy

Popularity: #918 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ZEB-yoo-lon /ˈzɛb.jʊ.lɒn/

Origin: Hebrew; English

Meaning: Hebrew: 'dwelling of honor'; English: 'a variant of Zebulun'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Zebulon has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the name זְבוּלוּן (Zevulun), which is believed to mean "dwelling" or "habitation." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis, where Zebulun is one of the twelve sons of Jacob and Leah, and the founder of the Tribe of Zebulun. The name was subsequently transliterated into Greek as Ζεβουλών (Zebulon) and later into Latin as Zebulon, before making its way into Old French and eventually into Middle English, where it retained its biblical connotations.

Historically, Zebulon is significant as a biblical figure, with his tribe playing a notable role in the history of Israel. The Tribe of Zebulun is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the Israelites' settlement in Canaan.

The name is also associated with the blessings given by Jacob to his sons, where Zebulun is described as a tribe that would thrive by the sea and engage in trade, highlighting its importance in the ancient socio-economic landscape. The name appears in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version published in 1611, which helped solidify its presence in English-speaking cultures.

Culturally, Zebulon carries connotations of stability and prosperity, reflecting the biblical narrative of the tribe's role in commerce and maritime activities. The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, often symbolizing a connection to heritage and tradition.

The diminutive form "Zeb" has also emerged in some contexts, providing a more informal variant while still retaining the essence of the original name. Overall, Zebulon stands as a name deeply rooted in religious and historical significance, embodying themes of community and livelihood.

Famous people named Zebulon

In this section, you will find notable people named Zebulon. 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 Zebulon who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Zebulon 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.

Zebulon Pike is an explorer best known for Pike's Peak and his expeditions in the American West.

Sibling suggestions

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

ZacharyZaneZaraZelda

Similar names

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

ZebedeeZebedZebulunZachariahZebZenoZorionZebrina

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Zebulon was first seen in the United States in 1891.

Zebulon has ranked as high as #1815 nationally, which occurred in 1979, and has been most popular in North Carolina, California, Texas, Colorado, and Illinois.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Zebulon 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 Zebulon 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 Zebulon.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 20 20
2024 24 24
2023 19 19
2022 19 19
2021 29 29
2020 26 26
2019 27 27
2018 22 22
2017 29 29
2016 24 24
2015 36 36
2014 28 28
2013 30 30
2012 19 19
2011 25 25
2010 32 32
2009 24 24
2008 23 23
2007 19 19
2006 28 28
2005 22 22
2004 19 19
2003 29 29
2002 29 29
2001 38 38
2000 50 50
1999 34 34
1998 35 35
1997 43 43
1996 41 41
1995 45 45
1994 46 46
1993 43 43
1992 45 45
1991 39 39
1990 45 45
1989 45 45
1988 52 52
1987 42 42
1986 45 45
1985 53 53
1984 83 83
1983 46 46
1982 72 72
1981 80 80
1980 92 92
1979 125 125
1978 92 92
1977 39 39
1976 29 29
1975 25 25
1974 7 7
1973 6 6
1972 7 7
1971 6 6
1970 5 5
1969 7 7
1963 9 9
1959 5 5
1948 5 5
1946 5 5
1942 8 8
1931 9 9
1928 6 6
1921 7 7
1920 6 6
1917 5 5
1916 7 7
1914 7 7
1891 6 6

Top States for Zebulon (2020)

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 5
100%