Find out how popular the first name Zanyla has been for the last 21 years (from 2004 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Zanyla by gender

Based on the last 21 years of data, Zanyla is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 35 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Zanyla.

The history of the first name Zanyla

The name Zanyla has its origins in the ancient Sumerian language, one of the earliest known written languages, which was spoken in the region of Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) around 3500-3000 BCE. It is believed to be derived from the Sumerian word "zany," meaning "beautiful," and the suffix "-la," which was a common diminutive ending used to form affectionate nicknames or pet names.

Zanyla was a relatively uncommon name in ancient Sumerian texts, but it has been found inscribed on a few cuneiform tablets and clay seals from the Early Dynastic Period of Sumer (ca. 2800-2350 BCE). One notable example is a seal impression belonging to a priestess named Zanyla, who served in the temple of the goddess Inanna in the city of Uruk.

The name Zanyla gained more prominence during the Akkadian Empire (ca. 2350-2150 BCE), when it was adopted by the Semitic Akkadian people who had conquered and assimilated the Sumerian culture. The earliest recorded person with this name was Zanyla of Akkad, a noblewoman who lived during the reign of King Sargon of Akkad (ca. 2334-2279 BCE).

In the later Babylonian period (ca. 1894-539 BCE), the name Zanyla appeared occasionally in cuneiform records and inscriptions, indicating that it remained in use, albeit relatively rare. One notable bearer of this name was Zanyla, a high-ranking priestess of the god Marduk, who served in the city of Babylon during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II (ca. 605-562 BCE).

During the Parthian Empire (247 BCE-224 CE), which ruled over parts of ancient Persia and Mesopotamia, the name Zanyla resurfaced among the nobility and upper classes. A notable figure from this period was Zanyla of Ctesiphon, a prominent scholar and philosopher who lived in the 2nd century CE and wrote extensively on astronomy and astrology.

In the 6th century CE, during the Sassanid Empire (224-651 CE), the name Zanyla was borne by a Persian princess named Zanyla Khosrau, who was the daughter of King Khosrau I (531-579 CE). She was known for her patronage of the arts and her involvement in the construction of several notable mosques and palaces.

While the name Zanyla has fallen out of common usage in modern times, it remains a testament to the rich cultural heritage of ancient Mesopotamia and the enduring influence of the Sumerian language on the names and traditions of the region.

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

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