Zipporah Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: zip-OR-ah //zɪpˈɔːrə//
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: bird; sparrow
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Zipporah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the word "tzipporah," which means "bird." This etymology reflects a common practice in Hebrew naming conventions, where names often carry meanings related to nature or characteristics. The name appears in the biblical context, specifically in the Book of Exodus, where Zipporah is introduced as the wife of Moses, a central figure in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
The Hebrew form of the name was later transliterated into Greek as "Tsippora" and subsequently into Latin, before making its way into English through biblical translations and texts. Historically, Zipporah is noted in the narrative of Exodus, which is believed to have been composed around the 13th century BCE.
Her character is significant not only as the spouse of Moses but also as a figure who plays a crucial role in the early life of the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. The mention of Zipporah in the context of Moses' journey highlights her importance in the biblical narrative, particularly in the circumcision episode, which underscores her agency and cultural identity.
The name has been preserved through various translations of the Bible, including the Septuagint and the King James Version, which helped solidify its presence in Western literature. Culturally, Zipporah's name has resonated through the centuries, often symbolizing strength and resilience.
In Jewish tradition, she is recognized not only as a wife but also as a mother and a protector of her family. The name has been associated with themes of faith and loyalty, reflecting the broader cultural values of the communities that have embraced it.
While diminutive forms like "Zippy" may exist, the historical significance of Zipporah remains anchored in her biblical legacy, making her a notable figure in the tapestry of religious and cultural history.
Famous people named Zipporah
In this section, you will find notable people named Zipporah. 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 Zipporah who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Zipporah 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.
Zipporah is a biblical figure best known as the wife of Moses.
Fictional characters named Zipporah
The following list of fictional characters named Zipporah 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.
Zipporah is a fictional character from the biblical narrative in the Book of Exodus. She is the wife of Moses and plays a significant role in his life during the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zipporah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Zipporah was first seen in the United States in 1912.
Zipporah has ranked as high as #1293 nationally, which occurred in 2018, and has been most popular in Texas, Florida, California, Georgia, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Zipporah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Zipporah 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 Zipporah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Zipporah (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 | 5 | |
| CA | 5 | |
| FL | 5 |
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 Zipporah.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 57 |
| 2023 | 67 |
| 2022 | 79 |
| 2021 | 75 |
| 2020 | 62 |
| 2019 | 75 |
| 2018 | 86 |
| 2017 | 74 |
| 2016 | 70 |
| 2015 | 73 |
| 2014 | 77 |
| 2013 | 65 |
| 2012 | 61 |
| 2011 | 42 |
| 2010 | 62 |
| 2009 | 55 |
| 2008 | 60 |
| 2007 | 70 |
| 2006 | 79 |
| 2005 | 52 |
| 2004 | 56 |
| 2003 | 62 |
| 2002 | 67 |
| 2001 | 69 |
| 2000 | 68 |
| 1999 | 69 |
| 1998 | 43 |
| 1997 | 32 |
| 1996 | 44 |
| 1995 | 36 |
| 1994 | 36 |
| 1993 | 29 |
| 1992 | 37 |
| 1991 | 33 |
| 1990 | 22 |
| 1989 | 39 |
| 1988 | 28 |
| 1987 | 26 |
| 1986 | 30 |
| 1985 | 31 |
| 1984 | 32 |
| 1983 | 19 |
| 1982 | 12 |
| 1981 | 34 |
| 1980 | 21 |
| 1979 | 29 |
| 1978 | 11 |
| 1977 | 21 |
| 1976 | 17 |
| 1975 | 15 |
| 1974 | 16 |
| 1973 | 14 |
| 1970 | 6 |
| 1968 | 6 |
| 1966 | 10 |
| 1965 | 5 |
| 1963 | 11 |
| 1962 | 6 |
| 1960 | 7 |
| 1959 | 6 |
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1953 | 5 |
| 1951 | 5 |
| 1950 | 5 |
| 1948 | 5 |
| 1924 | 5 |
| 1923 | 5 |
| 1921 | 6 |
| 1916 | 7 |
| 1912 | 5 |