Zakkai first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Zakkai has been for the last 21 years (from 2003 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Zakkai

A variant spelling of the Hebrew name Zaccai, meaning "pure" or "righteous".

Popularity of Zakkai by gender

Based on the last 21 years of data, Zakkai is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 13 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Zakkai.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 13 0
2022 17 0
2021 8 0
2020 12 0
2019 8 0
2018 5 0
2017 5 0
2014 5 0
2007 9 0
2005 5 0
2004 5 0
2003 5 0

The history of the first name Zakkai

The given name Zakkai has its origins in the Hebrew language and Jewish culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "zakkai," which means "pure" or "innocent." The name is believed to have been in use among the Jewish community since the biblical era.

In the Jewish tradition, the name Zakkai is associated with Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai, a prominent Jewish scholar and leader who lived during the 1st century CE. He is revered for his efforts in preserving Jewish teachings and traditions after the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zakkai can be found in the Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism. The Talmud mentions Rabbi Zakkai ben Avraham, a Babylonian scholar who lived in the 3rd century CE and was known for his expertise in various fields of Jewish law.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Zakkai. One such person was Zakkai ben Yehudah, a Jewish poet who lived in Spain during the 12th century. His works were widely celebrated and contributed significantly to the golden age of Hebrew poetry in the Iberian Peninsula.

Another famous bearer of the name was Zakkai Eliezer Landau (1713-1793), a renowned Lithuanian rabbi and Talmudic scholar. He served as the chief rabbi of Prague and was highly respected for his vast knowledge and contributions to Jewish law and theology.

In the modern era, the name Zakkai has been carried on by individuals like Zakkai Zwi Zwi (1845-1936), a prominent Zionist leader and one of the founders of the Zionist movement. He played a crucial role in advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in the historical land of Israel.

While the name Zakkai may not be as common today as it once was, it continues to hold significant meaning and historical significance within the Jewish community, serving as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage and tradition from which it originates.

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

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

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"Zakkai first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 10, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/zakkai-meaning-and-history/.

"Zakkai first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/zakkai-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 10 June, 2025

Zakkai first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/zakkai-meaning-and-history/.

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