The name Zebulon has its origins in ancient Hebrew, derived from the biblical figure Zebulun, one of the twelve sons of Jacob mentioned in the Book of Genesis. The name is believed to be derived from the Hebrew verb "zaval," meaning "to dwell," or the noun "zebul," meaning "exalted dwelling."

In the biblical account, Zebulun was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and the land allotted to his tribe in Canaan was bounded by the Mediterranean Sea on the west and the Sea of Galilee on the east. The name Zebulon has been used throughout Jewish and Christian history, often reflecting a connection to the biblical tribes or a desire for divine favor.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zebulon appears in the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. In this text, the name is rendered as "Zeboulōn" or "Zabulōn." The name is also mentioned in the New Testament, where it is written as "Zebulun" or "Zabulon" in various manuscripts.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Zebulon. One of the earliest was Zebulon Pike (1779-1813), an American explorer and soldier best known for leading expeditions to explore the southern and western territories of the United States.

Another famous Zebulon was Zebulon Baird Vance (1830-1894), a American military officer and politician who served as the Governor of North Carolina during the American Civil War and later as a U.S. Senator.

In the realm of literature, Zebulon Pike also lent his name to the fictional character of Zebulon Pike in the novel "Narrative of a Journey Down the Ohio and Mississippi in 1789-90" by Thomas Cresap.

The name Zebulon has also been borne by several religious figures, including Zebulon Hollowell (1742-1817), a Baptist minister and one of the founders of the Baptist Church in Virginia, and Zebulon Colvert (1793-1859), a Methodist minister and educator who was instrumental in establishing several institutions of higher education in the United States.

Finally, in more recent times, Zebulon Simentov (1907-1998) was a prominent Israeli diplomat and ambassador who played a significant role in establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and various countries in the early years of the state's existence.