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Zachary Boy

Popularity: #186 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationZAK-uh-ree / /ˈzæk.ə.ri/

Hebrew; English

Meaning

Hebrew: 'the Lord has remembered'; English: diminutive form of Zacharias

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Zachary is derived from the Hebrew name Zechariah, which means "Yahweh has remembered." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where Zechariah is a significant figure, notably one of the minor prophets. The name transitioned into Greek as Zacharias and subsequently into Latin as Zacharias. The Old French form, Zacharie, eventually made its way into Middle English, where it was adapted to Zachary. This linguistic journey reflects the name's deep roots in religious texts and its enduring significance across cultures and languages.

Historically, the name Zachary has been borne by various notable figures, including several biblical characters. One of the most prominent is Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, whose story is recounted in the New Testament. The name gained further prominence through the influence of the King James Bible, published in 1611, which helped solidify its use in English-speaking communities. Additionally, Saint Zachary, a pope in the 8th century, contributed to the name's historical resonance within Christian traditions.

Culturally, Zachary has been associated with themes of remembrance and divine favor, reflecting its etymological roots. The name has been embraced in various artistic and literary works, often symbolizing hope and renewal. Its diminutive form, Zach, has also been used historically, providing a familiar and affectionate variant that has appeared in various contexts. Overall, the name Zachary carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its biblical origins and the enduring themes of memory and divine attention.

Trend Summary

Zachary has experienced fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking in the 1990s and remaining a well-liked name.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Zach
  • Zachy

International Variants

  • Zacharias (Greek)
  • Zacharie (French)
  • Zacarías (Spanish)

Famous people named Zachary

Zachary Levi is an actor best known for Shazam!, Chuck, and Tangled.

Zachary Quinto is an actor best known for Star Trek, Heroes, and Margin Call.

Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States, known for his role in the Mexican-American War and his brief presidency.

Zachary Knighton is an actor best known for Happy Endings, The Last Resort, and Magnum P.I.

Fictional characters named Zachary

Zachary Smith is a fictional character from the TV series Lost in Space. He is the scheming and self-serving antagonist who often complicates the Robinson family's efforts to survive on an alien planet.

Zachary Hale Comstock is a fictional character from the video game BioShock Infinite. He is the primary antagonist and a key figure in the game's exploration of themes like nationalism and racism.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Zachary was first seen in the United States in 1900. Zachary has ranked as high as #17 nationally, which occurred in 1993, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas. In the past 5 years the name Zachary has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Zachary (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 257
15%
TX 155
9%
NY 139
8%
FL 105
6%
PA 103
6%
IL 85
5%
MI 64
4%
VA 61
4%
OH 52
3%
MA 50
3%
GA 49
3%
NC 40
2%
WA 39
2%
IN 37
2%
MN 37
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19006
19128
191318
191411
191514
191617
191710
191811
191920
192016
192119
192211
192320
192413
192521
192622
192713
192814
192919
193016
193114
193217
193314
193411
193513
19369
193718
193815
193915
194020
19419
194215
194314
194410
194519
194649
194770
194891
1949107
1950149
1951151
1952171
1953161
1954200
1955280
1956270
1957289
1958237
1959262
1960345
1961369
1962339
1963327
1964333
1965313
1966330
1967364
1968340
1969419
1970559
1971701
19721,001
19731,136
19741,275
19751,688
19762,646
19772,777
19783,129
19794,156
19804,245
19814,846
19826,140
19837,309
19849,065
198511,346
198611,727
198713,203
198815,871
198918,078
199020,432
199121,387
199224,800
199325,537
199425,137
199523,129
199622,368
199721,928
199820,580
199919,982
200019,852
200118,185
200216,622
200315,540
200413,712
200512,288
200611,013
200710,217
20089,235
20098,091
20107,184
20116,810
20126,263
20135,774
20145,187
20154,865
20164,576
20173,821
20183,575
20193,083
20202,726
20212,596
20222,261
20232,122
20241,835