Find out how popular the first name Zavian has been for the last 40 years (from 1984 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Zavian by gender

Based on the last 40 years of data, Zavian is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 130 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Zavian.

The history of the first name Zavian

The name Zavian is believed to have originated from the ancient Sanskrit language, which was widely spoken in the Indian subcontinent dating back to the 2nd millennium BCE. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "zabyan," which translates to "the one who is born at night" or "the child of the night."

In ancient Hindu mythology, the night was often personified as a deity, and children born during the night hours were considered to be blessed with special powers and spiritual connections. The name Zavian may have been given to children born under these circumstances, as a way to honor their unique connection to the night.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zavian can be found in the Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. The epic, which dates back to around the 8th century BCE, mentions a character named Zavian who was a skilled archer and warrior.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Zavian. One of the earliest was Zavian the Wise (c. 450 BCE - 380 BCE), a renowned philosopher and scholar from the ancient Greek city of Athens. His writings on ethics and the nature of the soul were highly influential during his time and for centuries afterward.

Another notable figure was Zavian al-Khwarizmi (c. 780 CE - 850 CE), a Persian mathematician, astronomer, and geographer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest minds of the Islamic Golden Age. He is credited with introducing the concept of algebra and the use of Arabic numerals to the Western world.

In the 12th century, there was Zavian of Marash (c. 1100 CE - 1180 CE), an Armenian monk and historian who wrote extensively about the Crusades and the interactions between the Christian and Muslim worlds during that time period.

During the Renaissance, Zavian Della Robbia (1469 CE - 1529 CE) was an Italian sculptor and ceramist who was renowned for his innovative glazing techniques and his contributions to the art of terracotta sculpture.

More recently, Zavian Khuzwayo (1922 CE - 2008 CE) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and politician who played a significant role in the struggle against racial segregation and the fight for equal rights in his country.

While the name Zavian may have originated in ancient Sanskrit, it has since been adopted and used in various cultures and regions around the world, often carrying with it a sense of mysticism, wisdom, and a connection to the night.

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

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

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