Zachary is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the name Zechariah, which means "God remembers" or "God has remembered." The name Zachary is often associated with the biblical prophet Zechariah, who was one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament.
The name Zachary gained popularity during the Victorian era in England and has since become a widely used name around the world. It was particularly popular in the United States during the 1990s, reaching its peak rank of number 48 in 1997, according to data from the Social Security Administration.
The name Zachary is typically pronounced as /ˈzækəri/ in English-speaking countries, but it can also be pronounced differently depending on regional variations and personal preferences. Some common spelling variants of the name include Zachariah, Zaccheri, Zaccaro, and Zackery.
Overall, Zachary is a strong and distinctive name with a meaningful origin and rich history. Its biblical associations give it a sense of gravitas, while its popularity in recent decades makes it familiar yet unique. Whether as a first or middle name, Zachary remains a popular choice among parents looking for a name that combines meaning and style.
Statistics for the Name Zachary in the United States:
From 1900 to 1939, the number of babies named Zachary remained relatively low, ranging from 6 to 20 births per year. However, starting in the 1940s, there was a significant increase in the popularity of the name Zachary.
Between 1946 and 1958, the number of babies named Zachary ranged from 49 to 345 births per year. This period marked the beginning of a steady rise in the popularity of the name.
From 1959 onwards, the name Zachary became even more popular, with over 200 babies named Zachary each year. Between 1960 and 1979, the number of babies named Zachary ranged from 345 to 4847 births per year.
The peak popularity of the name Zachary occurred between the years 1980 and 2005. During this period, over 10,000 babies were named Zachary each year, with a high of 25,537 births in 1993.
After reaching its peak popularity, the name Zachary's popularity began to decline gradually. Between 2006 and 2023, the number of babies named Zachary ranged from 8,091 to 2,112 births per year.
In total, between 1900 and 2023, there have been 548,217 babies named Zachary in the United States. Despite its decline in recent years, Zachary remains a popular name choice for parents across the country.