Find out how popular the first name Zahava has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Zahava by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Zahava is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 25 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Zahava.

The history of the first name Zahava

The name Zahava is a Hebrew name derived from the word "zahav," meaning "gold" in the ancient Hebrew language. It has its origins in the Middle East, specifically in the region that is now modern-day Israel, dating back to biblical times.

The name Zahava is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament, where it is used as a symbolic reference to the precious metal gold. In the Book of Proverbs, wisdom is likened to "more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zahava dates back to the 12th century CE, when a Jewish woman named Zahava bat Avraham lived in Judea during the Crusades period. She is mentioned in historical records as a respected scholar and teacher of the Torah.

In the 16th century, a prominent Jewish philosopher and mystic named Zahava ben Shmuel Ashkenazi lived in Safed, a city in the Galilee region of modern-day Israel. He was known for his works on Kabbalah and contributed significantly to the development of Jewish mysticism.

During the 17th century, a woman named Zahava bat Yitzchak was a renowned Hebrew calligrapher and scribe in Amsterdam, Netherlands. She was responsible for transcribing and preserving many important Jewish texts and religious writings.

In more recent history, Zahava Gal-On, born in 1956, is an Israeli politician and former leader of the Meretz political party in Israel. She has been a member of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) since 1999 and has advocated for social justice, human rights, and environmental issues.

Another notable figure with the name Zahava is Zahava Levine, born in 1940, an Israeli-American writer and journalist. She has written extensively on Jewish culture, history, and identity, and her works have been widely published and acclaimed.

Throughout its history, the name Zahava has been associated with beauty, radiance, and precious value, reflecting its origins as a symbol of gold in the ancient Hebrew language. It has been borne by scholars, mystics, artists, and influential figures across different eras and regions.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Zahava was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Zahava, please contact us.

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