Zeeshan
A masculine name of Persian origin meaning "bright as the moon".
Name Census estimates that about 594 living Americans carry the first name Zeeshan. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Zeeshan today is around 21 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Zeeshan births was 2003 (28 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Zeeshan. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
594
~ 1 in 577,028 Americans
Peak year
2003
28 babies that year
Average age
21
years old
2024 SSA rank
#8,279
Tracked since 1979
Popularity
Zeeshan: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Zeeshan from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 174 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2000s peak, Zeeshan remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zeeshan by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Zeeshan during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Zeeshans live
The SSA's state-level files cover 5 states and territories. New York, California, Illinois recorded the most babies named Zeeshan, while Texas, New Jersey, Illinois recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 7 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Zeeshan
The name Zeeshan has its origins in the Persian language, tracing its roots back to the ancient Persian Empire and the Middle Eastern region. It is derived from the Persian word "zeesh," which means "life" or "living." The name is often associated with the concept of vitality, energy, and the celebration of life itself.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Zeeshan can be found in ancient Persian literature and poetry, where it was used to symbolize the vibrancy and beauty of nature and the human spirit. The name gained popularity during the reign of the Sassanid Empire, which ruled over Persia and parts of the Middle East from the 3rd to the 7th century AD.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Zeeshan. One of the earliest recorded figures was Zeeshan al-Khwarizmi, a renowned Persian mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 9th century AD. He made significant contributions to the fields of algebra and trigonometry, and his works were instrumental in the development of mathematics in the Islamic world.
Another prominent figure was Zeeshan al-Din Attar, a celebrated Persian poet and mystic who lived in the 12th century AD. His works, such as the epic poem "The Conference of the Birds," explored themes of spirituality, love, and the human condition, and they continue to be widely studied and revered in Persian literature.
In the realm of music, Zeeshan Noor Bakht was a renowned Indian classical singer and composer who lived in the 17th century. He was a prominent figure in the Mughal court and is credited with popularizing the Khayal style of singing, which remains an integral part of North Indian classical music.
Moving forward in time, Zeeshan Hayat was a Pakistani cricketer who played for the national team in the late 20th century. He was a talented all-rounder known for his aggressive batting style and handy off-spin bowling. Hayat represented Pakistan in numerous international matches and was part of the team that won the 1992 Cricket World Cup.
Zeeshan Kazmi is a contemporary figure, a Pakistani actor, and television personality who has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry. He has starred in numerous popular drama serials and films, showcasing his versatility as an actor and earning critical acclaim for his performances.
While the name Zeeshan has its roots in the Persian language and culture, it has gained popularity across various regions and communities, transcending borders and cultures. The name continues to resonate with its original meaning of vitality and the celebration of life, making it a timeless and meaningful choice for parents seeking a name rich in history and significance.
People
Zeeshan + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Zeeshan as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with Z
Other first names starting with Z with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Zeeshan: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Zeeshan?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 594 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Zeeshan going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 577,028 US residents.
Is Zeeshan a common name?
We classify Zeeshan as "Very Rare". It ranks above 86.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 604 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Zeeshan most popular?
The single biggest year for Zeeshan was 2003, when 28 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Zeeshan is about 21 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Zeeshan a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Zeeshan in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.