Given name & surname
Zael
“one who has the strength of the sea”·“having the strength of the sea”
Zael is a variant of Zale. Interpretations include “one who has the strength of the sea” (Greek) and “having the strength of the sea” (Greek). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Zael is a variant of Zale. Interpretations include “one who has the strength of the sea” (Greek) and “having the strength of the sea” (Greek). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Zael is a variant of Zale. An origin associated with Zale is Greek.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 2004. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Zael through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 678
- 673 boys · 5 girls
- Most popular year
- 2025
- 139 babies
- 2025
- 139
- #1,381 for boys · #17,218 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +168%
- Rising fast
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 134 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,381 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 165.2% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. It also appeared in 5 birth records for girls in 2025. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (28).
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Zael, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Aziel
“of the dry earth; resembling the flower” · “one who is spared by God”
99% boys · 1% girls
Caspian
“from the sea”
>99% boys
Arjun
Arjun is used as a given name and a surname. One Sanskrit interpretation is “white: the colour of dawn, lightning, milk, and silver.”
>99% boys
Amael
>99% boys
Zaire
“a, man from Zaire”
97% boys · 3% girls
Zayn
“one who is bold”
99% boys · 1% girls
Zad
>99% boys
Zyaire
“a, man from Zaire”
96% boys · 4% girls