"passionate devotion, fervor"
Origin: Greek via Latin
Language: English
Zeal
Pronunciation: [ z-EEL ]
Does Zeal flow with your last name?
A bold virtue name meaning passionate devotion
American
English
Bold
Strong
Unique
Modern
Spiritual
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Zeal
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"eager enthusiasm"
Origin: Old French
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Zeal
See all →What the Zeal report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Zeal the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Zeal
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Zeal head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Zeal actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Zeal
Zeal comes from Late Latin 'zelus' and Greek 'zelos', meaning ardor, passionate devotion, or fervent enthusiasm. The word entered English through Old French 'zele'. As a given name, Zeal is part of the virtue name tradition, expressing the parents' hope that their child will live with passionate purpose.
Zeal as a given name is rare but growing, embraced by parents drawn to one-syllable virtue names with energy and impact. It fits into the trend of meaningful word names like Brave, True, and Noble that have gained traction in the 2010s and 2020s.
In Puritan naming traditions of the 17th century, virtue names like Zeal were quite common — the Puritans valued names that expressed spiritual aspirations. Today, parents choosing Zeal are often motivated by similar faith-based or values-based reasoning.
Historical Record
Zeal first appeared in US Social Security records in 2006.
Over 145 babies have been named Zeal in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Zeal is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #4,206 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Zeal was a common Puritan virtue name in 17th century England and America
- The Greek root 'zelos' also gives us the word 'jealous' — both involve intense feeling
- One-syllable virtue names are a growing trend in contemporary American naming
Zeal in Other Languages
Greek
Ζήλος
French
Zèle
Italian
Zelo
Spanish
Celo
Popularity Over Time
#4,206
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Zeal
Z
Zealous B. Tower
Military
1819
American Civil War general and military engineer, one of few historical figures with Zeal as a given name
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #4,206
- Total SSA Count
- 25
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Zeal
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Zeal fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Zeal is also used as a girl name, ranked #37111.
View Zeal as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Zeal →For Parents
amz
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 Zeal with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Zeal
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Zeal and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Zeal 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 →
Javan
Boy
Arabic/Urdu jawan origin
"young man"
#4,268 in US
Bodey
Boy
Old English origin
"herald, messenger"
#4,099 in US
Owyn
Boy
Celtic/Welsh origin
"young warrior"
#4,286 in US
Raidyn
Boy
American origin
"modern invented name"
#4,032 in US
Denali
Boy
Alaska Native origin
"the tall one"
#4,371 in US
Kyier
Boy
Irish Gaelic origin
"dark one"
#4,060 in US
Zaylon
Boy
American English origin
"modern invented name"
#4,079 in US
Kapri
Boy
Latin/Greek origin
"from Capri, the island of wild goats"
#4,326 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Zeal's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zeal
What does the name Zeal mean?
"passionate devotion, fervor" (from Greek via Latin). "eager enthusiasm" (from Old French). Zeal comes from Late Latin 'zelus' and Greek 'zelos', meaning ardor, passionate devotion, or fervent enthusiasm. The word entered English through Old French 'zele'. As a given name, Zeal is part of the virtue name tradition, expressing the parents' hope that their child will live with passionate purpose.
What is the origin of the name Zeal?
Zeal has Greek via Latin, Old French, American, and English origins. In Greek via Latin, it means "passionate devotion, fervor". In Old French, it means "eager enthusiasm".
Is Zeal a boy or girl name?
Zeal is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4206. As a girl name, it is ranked #37111. Zeal is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Zeal?
Zeal is pronounced z-EEL.
How popular is the name Zeal?
Zeal is currently ranked #4206 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Zeal?
Popular middle name pairings include Zeal James, Zeal Marcus, Zeal Nathaniel, Zeal Ezra, Zeal Isaiah, and Zeal Elias.
What are good sibling names for Zeal?
Names that pair well with Zeal as siblings include Valor, Reign, Truett, Justice, Brave, and Noble.
How many syllables does Zeal have?
Zeal has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Zeal a common or rare name?
Zeal is an uncommon name, ranked #4206 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Zeal?
Are there other spellings for Zeal?
Related spellings include Zealand.
About the Name Zeal
Zeal is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "passionate devotion, fervor" in Greek via Latin .
Is Zeal a boy or girl name? Zeal is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,206 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #37,111. Zeal is more commonly used as a boy name.
Zeal is currently ranked #4,206 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Zeal has 1 syllable and is pronounced z-EEL, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Zeal include Zealand . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Greek via Latin Names
Browse all names with this origin
Z
Names Starting with Z
More boy names like Zeal
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
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