"God has given me a precious gift"
Zebulon
Pronunciation: [ z-EEB-uhl-uhn ]
Does Zebulon flow with your last name?
A rare biblical name as bold as a mountain peak
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Similar Names
Names Like Zebulon
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Zebulon
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"flowing"
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Similar to Zebulon
See all →What the Zebulon report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Zebulon the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Put Zebulon head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →See what Zebulon actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →The Story of Zebulon
Zebulon comes from the Hebrew 'Zevulun,' believed to derive from 'zabal' meaning to dwell or exalt, or possibly related to an Akkadian word for dwelling. In the Bible, Zebulon was the tenth son of Jacob and Leah, and his name was given by Leah with the meaning 'God has given me a precious gift' or 'my husband will honor me.' He became the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Zebulon has never been a common name, but it carries the appeal of extreme biblical rarity. It saw its most notable modern usage through Zebulon Pike (1779–1813), the American explorer for whom Pike's Peak in Colorado is named. Today it attracts parents seeking a genuinely distinctive biblical name.
The tribe of Zebulon was traditionally settled in northern Israel near the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus's ministry is described in the Gospel of Matthew as fulfilling the prophecy 'the land of Zebulun' (Matthew 4:15). The name carries deep biblical weight and is revered in both Jewish and Christian traditions.
Historical Record
Zebulon first appeared in US Social Security records in 1959.
Over 2,058 babies have been named Zebulon in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Zebulon is past its peak , currently ranked #4,400 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Pike's Peak in Colorado is named after Zebulon Pike, the American explorer — making Zebulon the name behind one of America's most famous mountains
- The tribe of Zebulon was prophesied by Jacob to be a seafaring people, settled near the Mediterranean coast
Zebulon in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Zebulon
Zebulon Pike
Explorer
1779
American Army officer and explorer for whom Pike's Peak in Colorado is named; led expeditions to the American Southwest
Zebulon (Biblical)
Religious
Tenth son of Jacob and Leah in the Bible, ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel
Names You Might Also Love
See all →"God has shown compassion"
"zero, new beginning"
"tailor, cloth cutter"
"son of Hutch (Hugh)"
"from the Cassius Roman family clan"
Compare Zebulon with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #4,400
- Total SSA Count
- 24
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Christian Jewish American
- Pronunciation
- Hard
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Zebulon
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Zebulon
Phonetic neighbors that share Zebulon's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Zebulon fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Zebulon →For Parents
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Zebulon with...
Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
See all Hebrew names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Zebulon
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Zebulon and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Zebulon sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →Hebrew El + chanun origin
"God has shown compassion"
#4,554 in US
Modern English origin
"zero, new beginning"
#4,417 in US
Old French via English origin
"tailor, cloth cutter"
#4,209 in US
English origin
"son of Hutch (Hugh)"
#4,465 in US
Latin origin
"from the Cassius Roman family clan"
#4,322 in US
Old English origin
"one who rides, horse rider"
#4,297 in US
Fictional / Phoenician origin
"lord of the rocks; from Tyre (ancient..."
#4,509 in US
Symbolic/Victorian origin
"fidelity, eternity"
#4,407 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Zebulon's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zebulon
What does the name Zebulon mean?
What is the origin of the name Zebulon?
Is Zebulon a boy or girl name?
How do you pronounce Zebulon?
How popular is the name Zebulon?
What are common nicknames for Zebulon?
What are good middle names for Zebulon?
What are good sibling names for Zebulon?
How many syllables does Zebulon have?
Is Zebulon a common or rare name?
What boy names are similar to Zebulon?
Are there other spellings for Zebulon?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Zebulon
Zebulon is a boy name with Hebrew, Christian, Jewish, and American origins . The name means "God has given me a precious gift" in Hebrew/Biblical .
Zebulon is currently ranked #4,400 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Zebulon has 3 syllables and is pronounced z-EEB-uhl-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Zebulon include Zeb, Zeeb, and Zebb. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Zebulon include Zebulun . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Recommended for Parents
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis