Zed Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: zed /zɛd/
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: 'God is righteous'; English: diminutive of names like Zedekiah
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Zed has its roots in the Hebrew name "Tzedeq," which means "righteousness." This name appears in various forms throughout the history of biblical texts. In the Hebrew Bible, the name is associated with the figure of Zedekiah, the last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile, who reigned in the 6th century BCE.
The name was later transliterated into Greek as "Zedekias" and subsequently into Latin, maintaining its connection to the original Hebrew meaning. The transition into English occurred through the influence of the King James Bible in the early 17th century, where the name Zedekiah is rendered as Zed, a shortened form that has gained recognition in its own right.
Historically, the name Zed has been linked to various cultural and religious contexts. In addition to its biblical connections, the name has been adopted in different cultures, often symbolizing justice and moral integrity.
The use of Zed as a standalone name can be traced back to the 19th century, where it began to appear in English-speaking countries, often as a diminutive or nickname for names like Zedekiah or even as a modern reinterpretation of the original biblical name. Culturally, Zed carries connotations of strength and righteousness, resonating with the values of justice and virtue.
In literature and popular culture, characters named Zed often embody these traits, reinforcing the name's historical significance. The simplicity and brevity of the name contribute to its appeal, making it a memorable choice.
Overall, Zed encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, rooted deeply in its biblical origins.
Famous people named Zed
In this section, you will find notable people named Zed. 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 Zed who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Zed 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.
Zed is a musician best known for the songs Clarity, Stay, and Beautiful Now.
Zed is a fictional character in the video game series League of Legends, known for his role as a ninja assassin.
Fictional characters named Zed
The following list of fictional characters named Zed 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.
Zed is a fictional character from the video game series League of Legends. He is a master of shadows and a skilled assassin who seeks to control the power of the shadows for his own purposes.
Zed is a fictional character from the animated series and comic book franchise DC Comics. He is a powerful and skilled warrior known for his mastery of martial arts and his role as a member of the Justice League.
Zed is a fictional character from the video game series Overwatch. He is a former member of the Shimada clan and a skilled ninja who seeks to prove his strength and honor.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zed, 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 Zed. 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 Zed was first seen in the United States in 1882.
Zed has ranked as high as #11095 nationally, which occurred in 2018, and has been most popular in California.
In the past 5 years the name Zed has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Zed 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 Zed 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 Zed.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 8 |
| 2024 | 15 | 15 |
| 2023 | 11 | 11 |
| 2022 | 7 | 7 |
| 2021 | 17 | 17 |
| 2020 | 7 | 7 |
| 2019 | 8 | 8 |
| 2018 | 18 | 18 |
| 2017 | 15 | 15 |
| 2016 | 14 | 14 |
| 2015 | 8 | 8 |
| 2014 | 6 | 6 |
| 2013 | 9 | 9 |
| 2012 | 9 | 9 |
| 2011 | 6 | 6 |
| 2010 | 7 | 7 |
| 2009 | 7 | 7 |
| 2007 | 5 | 5 |
| 2006 | 8 | 8 |
| 2005 | 6 | 6 |
| 2004 | 7 | 7 |
| 2002 | 7 | 7 |
| 2000 | 12 | 12 |
| 1999 | 5 | 5 |
| 1998 | 8 | 8 |
| 1994 | 6 | 6 |
| 1993 | 5 | 5 |
| 1991 | 9 | 9 |
| 1990 | 7 | 7 |
| 1989 | 7 | 7 |
| 1988 | 13 | 13 |
| 1987 | 9 | 9 |
| 1986 | 12 | 12 |
| 1985 | 9 | 9 |
| 1984 | 7 | 7 |
| 1981 | 5 | 5 |
| 1979 | 5 | 5 |
| 1977 | 6 | 6 |
| 1976 | 7 | 7 |
| 1972 | 5 | 5 |
| 1958 | 6 | 6 |
| 1949 | 6 | 6 |
| 1948 | 5 | 5 |
| 1942 | 5 | 5 |
| 1937 | 7 | 7 |
| 1935 | 7 | 7 |
| 1932 | 5 | 5 |
| 1926 | 7 | 7 |
| 1925 | 5 | 5 |
| 1923 | 6 | 6 |
| 1920 | 6 | 6 |
| 1919 | 5 | 5 |
| 1918 | 7 | 7 |
| 1917 | 6 | 6 |
| 1916 | 7 | 7 |
| 1898 | 5 | 5 |
| 1894 | 7 | 7 |
| 1887 | 5 | 5 |
| 1882 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Zed (2018)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |