Zooey is an uncommon yet distinctive given name of American origin. It was popularized by the famous Glass family, created by author J.D. Salinger in his works, most notably "Franny and Zooey". The name Zooey is believed to have been inspired by the Greek word 'zoo', meaning 'life'. However, it's important to note that there is no direct etymological connection between Zooey and any known Greek words or meanings. Despite this, many associate the name with its intended interpretation of 'life'. The use of Zooey outside literary circles remains quite rare, contributing to its unique and unconventional charm.
The name Zooey experienced a significant rise in popularity between 2006 and 2012, with a peak of 194 births in 2012. However, since then, its popularity has been steadily declining, reaching a low of 13 births in 2023. Over the entire period from 2003 to 2023, there were a total of 1093 births with the name Zooey.