Zak is of Hebrew origin, meaning "pure" or "clean." It is often considered a diminutive form of Zachariah or Zachary. The name gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and has since maintained a steady presence among baby names. In some cultures, Zak is associated with strength and resilience due to its meaning, while in others, it is seen as a friendly and approachable name due to its informal nature.
The name Zak has had a fluctuating popularity over the past five decades, with the highest number of births recorded in recent years. From 2000 onwards, there have been more than 40 births each year, with peaks of 50 births in 2004 and again in 2007, 61 births between 2009 and 2012 inclusive, and another peak of 63 births from 2017 to 2018. The lowest point was in the late 1960s to early 1970s, with fewer than 20 births per year. However, since 2020, the number of births has decreased significantly, with only 25 and 29 births recorded in 2022 and 2023 respectively. In total, there have been 1572 births named Zak from 1965 to 2023.