Zoriah first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Zoriah has been for the last 29 years (from 1996 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Zoriah

A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly meaning "radiant light".

Popularity of Zoriah by gender

Based on the last 29 years of data, Zoriah is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 29 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Zoriah.

Year Male Count Female Count
2024 0 29
2023 0 31
2022 0 32
2021 0 26
2020 0 26
2019 0 26
2018 0 22
2017 0 29
2016 0 33
2015 0 27
2014 0 21
2013 0 26
2012 0 21
2011 0 25
2010 0 34
2009 0 44
2008 0 24
2007 0 24
2006 0 23
2005 0 16
2004 0 18
2003 0 30
2002 0 13
2001 0 22
2000 0 19
1999 0 9
1998 0 9
1997 0 5
1996 0 6

The history of the first name Zoriah

The name Zoriah has its roots in ancient Hebrew, originating from the word "zor" meaning "stranger" or "foreigner." It is believed to have first appeared in the Middle East during the early Biblical era, around the 6th century BCE. While its exact etymology is unclear, some scholars suggest it may be derived from the Hebrew name Zeriah, which means "ray of light" or "shining."

In ancient texts, the name Zoriah is mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah, a historical book of the Hebrew Bible. It is recorded as the name of one of the leaders who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity in the 5th century BCE. This early reference indicates the name's use among the Jewish community during that time period.

The earliest known figure bearing the name Zoriah was a Jewish scholar and philosopher who lived in the 2nd century CE. Zoriah ben Haninah was a respected sage in ancient Israel, known for his wisdom and teachings on the Torah and Jewish law.

Throughout history, the name Zoriah has been used by individuals from various cultural backgrounds, although its prevalence has been relatively limited. In the 16th century, Zoriah Guadagnini was an Italian luthier, renowned for his exceptional craftsmanship in making violins and other stringed instruments.

Another notable figure with the name Zoriah was Zoriah Paulli, a Danish physician and botanist from the 17th century. He made significant contributions to the field of medicine and was one of the pioneers in introducing new plant species to Europe from other parts of the world.

In the 19th century, Zoriah Pasha was a prominent Ottoman statesman and diplomat, serving as the Grand Vizier (Prime Minister) of the Ottoman Empire from 1842 to 1844. He played a crucial role in the Tanzimat reforms, which aimed to modernize the Ottoman state and society.

While the name Zoriah has been relatively uncommon throughout history, it has maintained a unique and intriguing presence, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage and diverse stories from various parts of the world.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Zoriah, please contact us.

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"Zoriah first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on September 3, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/zoriah-meaning-and-history/.

"Zoriah first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/zoriah-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 3 September, 2025

Zoriah first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/zoriah-meaning-and-history/.

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