Find out how popular the first name Zakai has been for the last 26 years (from 1998 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Zakai by gender

Based on the last 26 years of data, Zakai is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Zakai being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 412 male babies and 7 female babies born with the name Zakai.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 7 baby girls were named Zakai in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Zakai

The name Zakai is believed to have its origins in the Hebrew language and culture. It is derived from the Hebrew word "zakah," which means "pure" or "innocent." The name is thought to have first emerged during the biblical period, around the time of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zakai can be found in the Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism. The Talmud mentions a sage named Zakai, who lived during the 1st century BCE and was known for his wisdom and teachings.

In the Christian tradition, the name Zakai is sometimes associated with Zacchaeus, a tax collector mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. According to the biblical account, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus, who then visited his home and praised his repentance.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Zakai. One of the earliest was Zakai ben Gurion, a Jewish scholar and leader who lived in the 1st century CE and played a role in the Jewish revolt against Roman rule.

Another prominent figure was Rabbi Zakai ben Avtalion, a Jewish sage who lived in the 1st century BCE and was one of the leaders of the Sanhedrin, the highest court of ancient Israel.

In the medieval period, Zakai ben Yosef, a Jewish philosopher and author from Spain, made significant contributions to the fields of logic and metaphysics in the 12th century.

During the Renaissance, Zakai ben Avraham, an Italian Jewish scholar and mathematician, gained recognition for his work on trigonometry and astronomy in the 16th century.

More recently, in the 20th century, Zakai Shalom was an Israeli politician and one of the signatories of the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Zakai, showcasing its enduring presence and significance across different eras and cultures.

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 Zakai was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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