Zen
Every Zen since 1969 — 3,313 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Zen
Zen is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,144 in 2025 with 185 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1969, 3,313 American babies have been named Zen — about 82% boys and 18% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2022, when 321 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Zen stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Zen year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 43 | #3,575 | 185 | #1,144 |
| 2024 | 41 | #3,757 | 238 | #956 |
| 2023 | 60 | #2,851 | 242 | #936 |
| 2022 | 65 | #2,688 | 256 | #906 |
| 2021 | 52 | #3,155 | 166 | #1,187 |
| 2020 | 48 | #3,280 | 160 | #1,199 |
| 2019 | 46 | #3,450 | 128 | #1,393 |
| 2018 | 30 | #4,658 | 112 | #1,529 |
| 2017 | 24 | #5,515 | 92 | #1,716 |
| 2016 | 25 | #5,441 | 74 | #1,973 |
| 2015 | 23 | #5,827 | 75 | #1,954 |
| 2014 | 11 | #10,119 | 88 | #1,729 |
| 2013 | 9 | #11,957 | 63 | #2,138 |
| 2012 | 15 | #8,205 | 56 | #2,325 |
| 2011 | 13 | #9,141 | 63 | #2,128 |
| 2010 | 13 | #9,221 | 60 | #2,211 |
| 2009 | 9 | #12,416 | 70 | #2,009 |
| 2008 | 8 | #13,814 | 74 | #1,947 |
| 2007 | 22 | #6,321 | 52 | #2,472 |
| 2006 | 6 | #17,139 | 51 | #2,448 |
| 2005 | — | — | 50 | #2,364 |
| 2004 | 10 | #10,685 | 51 | #2,282 |
| 2003 | 5 | #18,409 | 38 | #2,673 |
| 2002 | 6 | #15,415 | 36 | #2,684 |
| 2001 | — | — | 38 | #2,561 |
| 2000 | 6 | #15,020 | 32 | #2,863 |
| 1995 | — | — | 15 | #4,279 |
| 1990 | — | — | 10 | #5,379 |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | 6 | #6,243 |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Zen in 2025?
Zen ranked #1,144 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 185 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Zen?
3,313 babies have been named Zen in the United States since 1969, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Zen most popular?
Zen peaked in 2022, when 321 newborns received the name.
Is Zen a boy or girl name?
Zen is used for both: about 18% of babies named Zen have been girls and 82% boys.
Is the name Zen rising or falling?
Zen is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.