Given name & surname
Zeal
“one with passion; enthusiastic devotion”·“a passionate man”
Zeal is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “one with passion; enthusiastic devotion” (American) and “a passionate man” (American). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “one with passion; enthusiastic devotion” (American) and “a passionate man” (American). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is American.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 2006. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Zeal through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 192
- 175 boys · 17 girls
- Most popular year
- 2024
- 31 babies
- 2025
- 30
- #3,752 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +156%
- Rising fast
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 30 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 3,752 among boys’ names. The recent annual counts are too incomplete to establish a ten-year comparison. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (5). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 164 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Zeal’s family of names
Zeal has a related form in Zeel. Zeal has a related form in Zeale. Zeal has a related form in Zeele.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 7
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Zeal, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Kaelem
“an honest man”
>99% boys
Roam
“one who wanders, searches”
>99% boys
Roper
“one who makes rope”
98% boys · 2% girls
Clever
“one who is quick-witted and smart” · “one who is smart”
79% boys · 21% girls
Levitt
“one who is straightforward”
>99% boys
Rev
“one who is distinct”
>99% boys
Khalon
“a strong warrior”
>99% boys
Magic
“one who is full of wonder and surprise”
82% boys · 18% girls