Zachary Boy
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)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
CA | 257 | |
TX | 155 | |
NY | 139 | |
FL | 105 | |
PA | 103 | |
IL | 85 | |
MI | 64 | |
VA | 61 | |
OH | 52 | |
MA | 50 | |
GA | 49 | |
NC | 40 | |
WA | 39 | |
IN | 37 | |
MN | 37 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1900 | 6 |
1912 | 8 |
1913 | 18 |
1914 | 11 |
1915 | 14 |
1916 | 17 |
1917 | 10 |
1918 | 11 |
1919 | 20 |
1920 | 16 |
1921 | 19 |
1922 | 11 |
1923 | 20 |
1924 | 13 |
1925 | 21 |
1926 | 22 |
1927 | 13 |
1928 | 14 |
1929 | 19 |
1930 | 16 |
1931 | 14 |
1932 | 17 |
1933 | 14 |
1934 | 11 |
1935 | 13 |
1936 | 9 |
1937 | 18 |
1938 | 15 |
1939 | 15 |
1940 | 20 |
1941 | 9 |
1942 | 15 |
1943 | 14 |
1944 | 10 |
1945 | 19 |
1946 | 49 |
1947 | 70 |
1948 | 91 |
1949 | 107 |
1950 | 149 |
1951 | 151 |
1952 | 171 |
1953 | 161 |
1954 | 200 |
1955 | 280 |
1956 | 270 |
1957 | 289 |
1958 | 237 |
1959 | 262 |
1960 | 345 |
1961 | 369 |
1962 | 339 |
1963 | 327 |
1964 | 333 |
1965 | 313 |
1966 | 330 |
1967 | 364 |
1968 | 340 |
1969 | 419 |
1970 | 559 |
1971 | 701 |
1972 | 1,001 |
1973 | 1,136 |
1974 | 1,275 |
1975 | 1,688 |
1976 | 2,646 |
1977 | 2,777 |
1978 | 3,129 |
1979 | 4,156 |
1980 | 4,245 |
1981 | 4,846 |
1982 | 6,140 |
1983 | 7,309 |
1984 | 9,065 |
1985 | 11,346 |
1986 | 11,727 |
1987 | 13,203 |
1988 | 15,871 |
1989 | 18,078 |
1990 | 20,432 |
1991 | 21,387 |
1992 | 24,800 |
1993 | 25,537 |
1994 | 25,137 |
1995 | 23,129 |
1996 | 22,368 |
1997 | 21,928 |
1998 | 20,580 |
1999 | 19,982 |
2000 | 19,852 |
2001 | 18,185 |
2002 | 16,622 |
2003 | 15,540 |
2004 | 13,712 |
2005 | 12,288 |
2006 | 11,013 |
2007 | 10,217 |
2008 | 9,235 |
2009 | 8,091 |
2010 | 7,184 |
2011 | 6,810 |
2012 | 6,263 |
2013 | 5,774 |
2014 | 5,187 |
2015 | 4,865 |
2016 | 4,576 |
2017 | 3,821 |
2018 | 3,575 |
2019 | 3,083 |
2020 | 2,726 |
2021 | 2,596 |
2022 | 2,261 |
2023 | 2,122 |
2024 | 1,835 |