Find out how popular the first name Zoa has been for the last 47 years (from 1978 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Zoa by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Zoa is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 16 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Zoa.

The history of the first name Zoa

The name Zoa has its origins in ancient Greek, derived from the word "zoe," meaning "life." This name has been in use since antiquity and is associated with the concept of vitality and the celebration of existence.

In ancient Greek mythology, Zoa was one of the Oceanids, the three thousand daughters of the Titans Oceanus and Tethys, who personified the life-nurturing streams and springs. This connection to the natural world and the essence of life further reinforced the meaning of the name.

The earliest recorded use of the name Zoa can be traced back to the 5th century BCE. It appears in several ancient Greek texts, including the works of Hesiod and Euripides, where it is mentioned as a name for various characters or figures.

One notable historical figure bearing the name Zoa was Zoa Porphyrogenita, a Byzantine empress who lived in the 11th century (c. 978-1050). She was the daughter of Emperor Constantine VIII and became the wife of the powerful Roman general and later emperor, Romanos III Argyros.

Another influential figure with the name Zoa was Zoa Karbonopoulou, a Greek mathematician and educator who lived in the 19th century (1858-1944). She was a pioneer in promoting women's education and played a significant role in establishing schools and educational institutions for girls in Greece.

In the literary world, Zoa Hartog was a Dutch writer and poet who lived from 1905 to 1988. She was renowned for her poetic works that explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition, and her contributions to Dutch literature are widely celebrated.

Another notable figure was Zoa Ingilizova, a Bulgarian painter and illustrator who lived from 1917 to 2005. She was renowned for her vibrant and expressive works, capturing the essence of Bulgarian culture and folklore through her art.

Lastly, Zoa Rosborough was an American philanthropist and activist who lived from 1905 to 1989. She dedicated her life to promoting peace, social justice, and environmental causes, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of activists and changemakers.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Zoa, 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!