Zoey Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ZOH-ee //ˈzoʊ.i//
Origin: Greek; English
Meaning: Greek: life; English: variant of Zoe
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Zoey is derived from the Greek word "zoē," meaning "life." This term has its roots in ancient Greek, where it was used to signify vitality and existence. The name entered the English language through the transliteration of Greek into Latin, where it was adapted as "Zoe." The Latin form was then incorporated into Old French before making its way into English, particularly during the Middle Ages when Greek texts were being translated and studied in Western Europe.
Historically, the name Zoe has been borne by several notable figures, including early Christian saints. One of the most significant is Saint Zoe of Rome, a martyr who is commemorated in the Christian liturgical calendar.
Her legacy contributed to the name's adoption among Christians, particularly during the Byzantine era, when Greek names were prevalent in the Eastern Orthodox Church. The name also appears in various historical texts and religious writings, further solidifying its place in Christian tradition.
Culturally, the name Zoey and its variants have been associated with themes of life and vitality, reflecting the original meaning of its Greek root. This connection to life has made it a symbol of hope and renewal in various contexts.
In addition to its use in religious and historical texts, the name has also been embraced in literature and art, often representing characters that embody resilience and strength. The diminutive form "Zoe" has been used interchangeably, maintaining the same connotations of life and vibrancy throughout its history.
Famous people named Zoey
In this section, you will find notable people named Zoey. 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 Zoey who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Zoey 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.
Zoey Deutch is an actress best known for Set It Up, The Politician, and Vampire Academy.
Zoey Saldana is an actress best known for Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Star Trek.
Fictional characters named Zoey
The following list of fictional characters named Zoey 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.
Zoey Redbird is a fictional character from the book series House of Night. She is the main protagonist who is marked as a vampire and must navigate the challenges of her new life at a vampyre finishing school.
Zoey Brooks is a fictional character from the TV series Zoey 101. She is a student at Pacific Coast Academy and serves as the central character around whom the show's events revolve.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zoey, 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 Zoey. 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 Zoey was first seen in the United States in 1967.
Zoey has ranked as high as #72 nationally, which occurred in 2012, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Zoey has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Zoey 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 Zoey was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Zoey (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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 465 | |
| TX | 318 | |
| FL | 212 | |
| NY | 168 | |
| IL | 130 | |
| NC | 129 | |
| OH | 122 | |
| GA | 119 | |
| PA | 112 | |
| WA | 99 | |
| NJ | 98 | |
| VA | 88 | |
| MA | 85 | |
| AZ | 79 | |
| MD | 74 |
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 Zoey.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3,600 |
| 2023 | 4,054 |
| 2022 | 4,512 |
| 2021 | 5,215 |
| 2020 | 5,384 |
| 2019 | 5,685 |
| 2018 | 5,943 |
| 2017 | 6,074 |
| 2016 | 6,478 |
| 2015 | 6,975 |
| 2014 | 7,440 |
| 2013 | 7,256 |
| 2012 | 7,481 |
| 2011 | 6,407 |
| 2010 | 5,219 |
| 2009 | 3,995 |
| 2008 | 3,449 |
| 2007 | 3,044 |
| 2006 | 2,858 |
| 2005 | 2,275 |
| 2004 | 1,622 |
| 2003 | 1,469 |
| 2002 | 1,182 |
| 2001 | 822 |
| 2000 | 691 |
| 1999 | 563 |
| 1998 | 478 |
| 1997 | 407 |
| 1996 | 339 |
| 1995 | 219 |
| 1994 | 137 |
| 1993 | 138 |
| 1992 | 145 |
| 1991 | 96 |
| 1990 | 33 |
| 1989 | 17 |
| 1988 | 17 |
| 1987 | 14 |
| 1986 | 11 |
| 1985 | 7 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1983 | 12 |
| 1979 | 8 |
| 1978 | 6 |
| 1977 | 8 |
| 1976 | 12 |
| 1975 | 8 |
| 1974 | 13 |
| 1973 | 8 |
| 1971 | 6 |
| 1970 | 6 |
| 1967 | 6 |