Zonia
A feminine name of Latin origin meaning "the highest lord".
Name Census estimates that about 338 living Americans carry the first name Zonia. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Zonia today is around 54 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Zonia births was 1964 (17 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Zonia. 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
338
~ 1 in 1,014,066 Americans
Peak year
1964
17 babies that year
Average age
54
years old
2010 SSA rank
#16,979
Tracked since 1910
Popularity
Zonia: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Zonia from the 1910s through to the 2010s, spanning 11 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1960s, with 110 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1960s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zonia 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 Zonia during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Zonias live
Origin
Meaning and history of Zonia
The name Zonia is believed to have originated from the Greek language, with its roots dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Greek word "zōnē," which means "belt" or "girdle." The name's connection to this word suggests that it may have been initially associated with strength, protection, or perhaps even fertility.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zonia can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century BCE. In his work "The Histories," he mentions a woman named Zonia who was a priestess in the city of Ephesus. This reference provides a glimpse into the name's usage during the classical period of Greek civilization.
In the Middle Ages, the name Zonia gained some prominence in various parts of Europe, particularly in regions with strong Greek cultural influences. One notable figure was Zonia of Aragon, a 12th-century noblewoman from the Kingdom of Aragon in modern-day Spain. She was known for her patronage of the arts and her support for the construction of several churches and monasteries.
During the Renaissance period, the name Zonia appeared in various literary works and historical records. In Italy, the poet and philosopher Zonia Gambara (1485-1535) was celebrated for her contributions to the Italian literary scene of the 16th century. Her poetic works and correspondence with other renowned figures of the time have been preserved and studied by scholars.
In the 18th century, Zonia Petrovitch (1723-1780) was a Serbian painter and illustrator recognized for her intricate depictions of religious scenes and portraits. Her works can be found in various churches and museums across the Balkans, showcasing the artistic talent associated with this name.
Another notable figure was Zonia Baber (1801-1876), a British explorer and travel writer who documented her adventures in the Middle East and Central Asia. Her detailed accounts of her journeys through regions like Persia (modern-day Iran) and Afghanistan provided valuable insights into the cultures and landscapes of the time.
While the name Zonia may not be as common today as it once was, its rich history and connections to various cultures and historical figures make it a unique and intriguing choice. The name's origins in Greek antiquity and its presence throughout different eras and regions demonstrate its enduring legacy.
People
Zonia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Zonia 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
Zonia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Zonia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 338 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Zonia 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 1,014,066 US residents.
Is Zonia a common name?
We classify Zonia as "Very Rare". It ranks above 80.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 499 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Zonia most popular?
The single biggest year for Zonia was 1964, when 17 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Zonia is about 54 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Zonia a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Zonia in the SSA data are female. 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.