Zori
Of Slavic origin, a diminutive form of names like Gizora meaning "glory".
Name Census estimates that about 753 living Americans carry the first name Zori. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Zori today is around 11 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Zori births was 2017 (63 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Zori. 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
753
~ 1 in 455,185 Americans
Peak year
2017
63 babies that year
Average age
11
years old
2024 SSA rank
#4,455
Tracked since 1993
Popularity
Zori: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Zori from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 386 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Zori remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zori 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 Zori during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Zoris live
The SSA's state-level files cover 8 states and territories. Maryland, Georgia, Pennsylvania recorded the most babies named Zori, while North Carolina, Virginia, New York recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 25 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Zori
The name Zori has its roots in various cultures and languages across the globe. It is believed to have originated from the Persian word "zor," which means strength or power. This name was commonly used in ancient Persia and the surrounding regions.
In Sanskrit, the name Zori is derived from the word "zor," which means brilliant or shining. This suggests that the name may have been used among ancient Indian civilizations to represent a person's radiance or inner light.
Some scholars also trace the origins of Zori to the Slavic languages, where it is believed to be a variation of the name "Zora," meaning dawn or sunrise. This connection implies that the name could have been associated with the idea of new beginnings or a fresh start.
In Greek mythology, there is a reference to a minor deity named Zoria, who was believed to be the personification of the morning breeze. This mythological connection lends a poetic and mystical quality to the name Zori.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zori can be found in the ancient Persian epic poem, the Shahnameh, written by the renowned poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th century. The name was used for a character in the epic, reflecting its deep-rooted history in the Persian culture.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Zori. One such person was Zori Balkan (1904-1990), a prominent Albanian writer and poet who played a significant role in the development of Albanian literature during the 20th century.
Another notable figure was Zori Apostolska (1934-2017), a Macedonian actress and theater director who made significant contributions to the Macedonian cultural scene. She was widely acclaimed for her performances and directorial work.
In the field of sports, Zori Sampsonidze (born 1982) is a Georgian weightlifter who has won multiple medals at international competitions, including the Olympic Games and World Championships.
Zori Balaian (1934-2022) was a renowned Armenian painter and sculptor, known for his unique style and contributions to the art world. His works have been exhibited in various countries and are celebrated for their artistic excellence.
Lastly, Zori Lesova (born 1976) is a Bulgarian singer and actress who has gained popularity for her musical talents and performances in various theater productions and television shows.
These individuals, spanning different eras and fields, have carried the name Zori with pride and have contributed to its diverse cultural heritage and significance.
People
Zori + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Zori 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
Zori: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Zori?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 753 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Zori 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 455,185 US residents.
Is Zori a common name?
We classify Zori as "Very Rare". It ranks above 88.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 760 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Zori most popular?
The single biggest year for Zori was 2017, when 63 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Zori is about 11 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Zori a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Zori 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.