Zev
From Hebrew זאב (ze'év, “wolf”).
Every Zev since 1951 — 5,153 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Zev
Zev is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #866 in 2025 with 277 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1951, 5,153 American babies have been named Zev. Its peak came in 2025, when 277 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 Zev stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Zev year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 277 | #866 |
| 2024 | 263 | #901 |
| 2023 | 267 | #879 |
| 2022 | 239 | #952 |
| 2021 | 227 | #981 |
| 2020 | 250 | #901 |
| 2019 | 195 | #1,053 |
| 2018 | 215 | #969 |
| 2017 | 193 | #1,047 |
| 2016 | 161 | #1,182 |
| 2015 | 160 | #1,167 |
| 2014 | 153 | #1,204 |
| 2013 | 160 | #1,140 |
| 2012 | 150 | #1,200 |
| 2011 | 122 | #1,376 |
| 2010 | 133 | #1,298 |
| 2009 | 115 | #1,458 |
| 2008 | 117 | #1,435 |
| 2007 | 119 | #1,386 |
| 2006 | 115 | #1,390 |
| 2005 | 78 | #1,724 |
| 2004 | 74 | #1,730 |
| 2003 | 75 | #1,672 |
| 2002 | 71 | #1,681 |
| 2001 | 74 | #1,616 |
| 2000 | 51 | #2,014 |
| 1995 | 49 | #1,800 |
| 1990 | 41 | #1,908 |
| 1985 | 23 | #2,356 |
| 1980 | 27 | #2,057 |
| 1975 | 24 | #2,000 |
| 1970 | 20 | #2,057 |
| 1965 | 13 | #2,365 |
| 1960 | 16 | #2,120 |
| 1955 | 10 | #2,763 |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zev mean?
From Hebrew זאב (ze'év, “wolf”).
How popular is the name Zev in 2025?
Zev ranked #866 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 277 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Zev?
5,153 babies have been named Zev in the United States since 1951, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Zev most popular?
Zev peaked in 2025, when 277 newborns received the name.
Is Zev a boy or girl name?
Zev is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Zev rising or falling?
Zev is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.