Zephery
Of Greek origin, meaning "west wind or western".
Name Census estimates that about 4 living Americans carry the first name Zephery. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Zephery today is around 67 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Zephery births was 1955 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Zephery. 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.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Zephery is about 67 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Zepherys were born before 1969.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Zephery. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
4
~ 1 in 85,688,585 Americans
Peak year
1955
5 babies that year
Average age
67
years old
1955 SSA rank
#4,402
Tracked since 1955
Popularity
Zephery: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Zephery 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 Zephery during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Zephery
The name Zephery has its roots in the ancient Greek language and culture. It is derived from the word "zephyros," which means "the west wind." This name was often associated with the Greek god of the western wind, Zephyrus, who was depicted as a gentle and mild breeze.
In Greek mythology, Zephyrus was one of the four Anemoi, or wind gods, along with Boreas (the north wind), Notus (the south wind), and Eurus (the east wind). He was portrayed as a winged youth and was often depicted carrying a bag of breezes or flowers. Zephyrus was also known for his role in the abduction of the beautiful nymph Chloris, whom he made the goddess of flowers.
The earliest recorded use of the name Zephery can be traced back to ancient Greek literature, where it appeared in various texts and poems. However, it was not a commonly used name until much later in history.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name Zephery was Zephery of Constantinople, a Byzantine scholar and theologian who lived in the 6th century CE. He was known for his work on the interpretation of the Bible and his contributions to the development of Christian theology.
Another notable figure with the name Zephery was Zephery de la Tour, a French nobleman and military leader who fought in the Hundred Years' War during the 14th century. He was renowned for his bravery and strategic skills on the battlefield.
In the 16th century, Zephery Holwell was an English explorer and writer who documented his travels to India and the East Indies. His memoirs provided valuable insights into the cultures and customs of the regions he visited.
During the 18th century, Zephery Thorn was a British botanist and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of plant life. He was known for his extensive collection of plant specimens and his meticulous documentation of their characteristics.
In the realm of literature, Zephery Trelawny was a notable English author and adventurer in the 19th century. He is best known for his memoir "Adventures of a Younger Son," which recounted his travels and experiences in various parts of the world.
While the name Zephery has its origins in ancient Greek culture, it has been adopted and used in various regions throughout history, albeit with varying levels of popularity. The name continues to be used today, carrying with it the symbolic association with the gentle western wind and the Greek god Zephyrus.
People
Zephery + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Zephery 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
Zephery: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Zephery?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 4 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Zephery 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 85,688,585 US residents.
Is Zephery a common name?
We classify Zephery as "Very Rare". It ranks above 6.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Zephery most popular?
The single biggest year for Zephery was 1955, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Zephery is about 67 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Zephery in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Zephery a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Zephery 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.
Is Zephery still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Zephery in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Zephery can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How common is the name Zephery?
For a quick modern take, check how many people share the name Zephery on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.