Find out how popular the first name Zavia has been for the last 34 years (from 1990 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Zavia by gender

Based on the last 34 years of data, Zavia is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 97% of people named Zavia being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 24 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Zavia.

The history of the first name Zavia

The name Zavia is of Arabic origin, with its roots tracing back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "zavi," which means "angle" or "corner." The name is believed to have been initially used to describe individuals who lived in remote or secluded areas, often in the deserts or mountainous regions of the Middle East.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Zavia can be found in the writings of the famous Islamic scholar and philosopher Al-Ghazali, who lived from 1058 to 1111 CE. In his work, Al-Ghazali mentioned a certain "Zavia al-Din," which translates to "the corner of religion," referring to a person who had dedicated their life to spiritual pursuits.

Throughout the centuries, the name Zavia has been associated with various historical figures, both men and women. One notable example is Zavia al-Andalusi, a 12th-century poet and scholar from Andalusia (modern-day Spain). Her poetry and writings were celebrated for their profound insights and elegant language.

Another prominent individual bearing the name Zavia was Zavia ibn Battuta, a renowned Moroccan explorer and traveler who lived from 1304 to 1369 CE. He is famous for his extensive journeys across Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe, documenting his experiences in his famous travelogue "Rihla" (The Travels).

In the 15th century, there was Zavia al-Qudsi, a Sufi mystic and scholar from Jerusalem. He was known for his spiritual teachings and his contributions to the understanding of Islamic mysticism.

During the Ottoman Empire, the name Zavia gained popularity among the ruling elite. One notable figure was Zavia Pasha, a 17th-century Ottoman statesman and military commander who played a significant role in the expansion and consolidation of the empire's territories.

While the name Zavia has roots in the Arabic language and culture, it has also been adopted and used in various parts of the world, particularly among Muslim communities. However, its usage has remained relatively uncommon compared to other Arabic names.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!