Zenobia

“life of Zeus”

Greece origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#3757US 2023

41Births / yr

↑Rising

4.4kAll-time births

📅 Since 188100.01% of births at peak

How to pronounce Zenobia

zun·OH·bee·uh

/zən.ˈoʊ.biː.ə/ · stress on OH · 4 syllables

“life of Zeus”

Greece origin · Girl name

What does Zenobia mean and where does it come from?

The name Zenobia (Ζηνοβία) is of Greek origin and means 'life of Zeus'. It gained prominence through Zenobia of Palmyra, a 3rd-century queen who famously led a revolt against the Roman Empire. Notable for her intelligence and leadership, Zenobia was eventually captured and taken to Rome, where her s

Cultural significance

Zenobia has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Greece-speaking communities, where it reflects values of life of zeus.

Peak popularity

Reached #680 in 1909 — currently #3757 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Zenobia?

Zenobia works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Zenobia Grace

How popular is Zenobia right now?

Rising fast — up 617 spots — currently #3757 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1885–2023#3757 · Top 2.8%

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#3757	41	▲ up 617 · +24% births
2022	#4374	33	▲ up 36 · +3% births
2021	#4410	32	▼ down 1040 · -29% births
2020	#3370	45	▲ up 278 · +7% births
2015	#3648	42	▲ up 2990 · +121% births
2010	#6638	19	▼ down 1520 · -24% births
2005	#5118	25	▼ down 464
2000	#4654	25	▼ down 1292 · -24% births
1995	#3362	33	▼ down 835 · -30% births
1990	#2527	47	▲ up 341 · +47% births
1985	#2868	32	▲ up 79 · +7% births
1980	#2947	30	▼ down 1038 · -36% births
1975	#1909	47	▲ up 110 · +15% births
1970	#2019	41	▼ down 249
1965	#1770	41	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Zenobia

Best Year1925Rank #971

Peak Count59

Average Rank#2491

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1900 - 202328 years

The story of Zenobia

Zenobia has been a beloved American name for over 143 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1881. With 4,434 total births recorded, Zenobia remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #974 in 1885, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #3757 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Zenobia in 1909:

Mary Helen Margaret Ruth Dorothy

Zenobia by decade

Zenobia peaked in the 1900s. See all 1900s names →

Decade	Births
1880s	43
1890s	93
1900s	159
1910s	401
1920s ★	497
1930s	342
1940s	351
1950s	426
1960s	371
1970s	367
1980s	335
1990s	335
2000s	277
2010s	392
2020s	45

💎With 4,434 total births, Zenobia is an uncommon but established name.

What are good nicknames for Zenobia?

Common

ZenZenieZenyObia

What names sound and feel like Zenobia?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Zenobia also consider these

Zenovia

Greece · Gift of Zeus

Xenobia

Greece · foreign queen

Zenolia

American · Derived from 'Zen'

Greece · Stranger or foreigner

How is Zenobia written in other languages?

Ζηνοβια

Ancient Greek

What are the boy versions of Zenobia?

Zenobios ANCIENT GREEK Zinoviy RUSSIAN Zinovy RUSSIAN Zinoviy UKRAINIAN Zeus GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Common questions about the name Zenobia

What does the name Zenobia mean?

Zenobia means "life of Zeus" — a name rooted in Greece tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Zenobia?

Zenobia is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Zenobia have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Zenobia?

Zenobia originates from Greece tradition. Greece names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Zenobia?

Zenobia is a four-syllable name pronounced Z AH0 N OW1 B IY0 AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Zenobia?

Zenobia pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Greece heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.