boys' name · peaked 1979

Zeb

From Zebadiah, Zebedee, Zebulon or Zebulun.

Every Zeb since 1880 — 2,750 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.040.080.110.1518801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1888Boys
Rank 2025
#7,189
among boys
Babies in 2025
12
named Zeb
Peak year
1979
65 babies
All-time total
2,750
since 1880

The story of Zeb

Zeb is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,189 in 2025 with 12 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 2,750 American babies have been named Zeb. Its peak came in 1979, when 65 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Zeb stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Zeb year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 12 #7,189
2024 13 #6,826
2023 14 #6,509
2022 18 #5,441
2021 17 #5,559
2020 14 #6,290
2019 10 #8,203
2018 23 #4,475
2017 15 #6,054
2016 25 #4,195
2015 16 #5,741
2014 31 #3,531
2013 27 #3,861
2012 31 #3,526
2011 32 #3,431
2010 18 #5,248
2009 27 #3,918
2008 35 #3,285
2007 25 #4,123
2006 31 #3,450
2005 33 #3,171
2004 28 #3,455
2003 35 #2,845
2002 30 #3,092
2001 35 #2,741
2000 26 #3,298
1995 28 #2,684
1990 24 #2,779
1985 13 #3,598
1980 40 #1,546
1975 12 #3,245
1970 8 #3,833
1965 11 #2,616
1960 17 #2,041
1955 15 #2,137
1950 14 #2,110
1945 17 #1,696
1940 16 #1,801
1935 20 #1,583
1930 29 #1,367
1925 35 #1,224
1920 28 #1,415
1915 26 #1,341
1910 7 #1,419
1905 8 #1,000
1900 8 #1,049
1895 11 #683
1890 8 #813
1885 5 #1,097
1880 10 #639

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Zeb mean?

From Zebadiah, Zebedee, Zebulon or Zebulun.

How popular is the name Zeb in 2025?

Zeb ranked #7,189 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 12 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Zeb?

2,750 babies have been named Zeb in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Zeb most popular?

Zeb peaked in 1979, when 65 newborns received the name.

Is Zeb a boy or girl name?

Zeb is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Zeb rising or falling?

Zeb is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Zeb

Compare Zeb with similar names →