Find out how popular the first name Zorya has been for the last 24 years (from 2000 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Zorya by gender

Based on the last 24 years of data, Zorya is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 8 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Zorya.

The history of the first name Zorya

The name Zorya has its origins in Slavic mythology and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Old East Slavic word "zorya," which means "dawn" or "twilight." The name is closely associated with the Zorya sisters, who were celestial beings in Slavic folklore and were believed to guard the gates of heaven.

In Slavic mythology, the Zorya sisters were three in number: Zorya Utrennyaya (the Morning Star), Zorya Vechernyaya (the Evening Star), and Zorya Polunochnaya (the Midnight Star). They were depicted as beautiful maidens who opened and closed the gates of heaven for the sun to pass through each day. Their names and roles were symbolic representations of the daily cycle of sunrise, sunset, and the night sky.

The earliest recorded use of the name Zorya can be traced back to ancient Slavic texts and folklore, where it appeared as a personification of the celestial beings. However, it was not until later periods that the name began to be used as a personal name for individuals.

One of the earliest known individuals named Zorya was Zorya Semenovna Saltykova (1515-1573), a Russian noblewoman and the second wife of Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible). She was known for her influence over the Tsar and her involvement in court politics during the 16th century.

Another notable figure was Zorya Yakovlevna Kokorina (1825-1893), a Russian philanthropist and benefactor who founded several schools and hospitals in Moscow. She was recognized for her charitable work and dedication to improving education and healthcare in the Russian Empire.

In the 20th century, Zorya Atamanenko (1908-1942) was a Ukrainian Soviet partisan and resistance fighter during World War II. She played a significant role in the resistance against the Nazi occupation of Ukraine and was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for her bravery and sacrifices.

Zorya Sergeyevna Bulbenkova (1924-1989) was a Soviet painter and artist known for her vibrant and expressive works depicting scenes of everyday life in the Soviet Union. Her artwork was celebrated for its ability to capture the spirit and emotions of the time.

More recently, Zorya Juan (born 1980) is a Cuban-American writer and poet whose works explore themes of identity, migration, and the complexities of cultural belonging. Her poetry collections have received critical acclaim and have been widely studied in academic circles.

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

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