Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Zacchaeus
BoyHebrew, Greek· “pure, innocent”
- Meaning
- pure, innocent
- Origin
- Hebrew, Greek
- Pronunciation
- za-KEE-us
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,389
- US babies 2025
- 58
- Best rank
- #1,697 (2000)
- Peak year
- 2003
Meaning and origin of Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus is a Hebrew and Greek name that means “pure, innocent”.
Zacchaeus comes to English through Greek from the Hebrew Zakkai, "pure" or "innocent." In the Gospel of Luke he is the rich chief tax collector of Jericho who climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus over the crowd, then promises to give half his goods to the poor and repay anyone he has cheated fourfold. The story is a staple of Sunday school songs, which keeps the name familiar. It is usually said za-KEE-us, and the double c and ae spelling reflect its Latin form. Zac and Zach make easy everyday names, while the full form stays unusual and distinctly scriptural.
Popularity over time
Zacchaeus first appears in US Social Security records in 1974. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,697 in 2000, and the most babies received it in 2003, when 71 were named Zacchaeus. In 2025, 58 babies were named Zacchaeus, and it ranked #2,389 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #4,490 in 1980, #1,697 in 2000, #2,238 in 2010, and #2,389 in 2025. Of the 1,969 US boys named Zacchaeus since records began, 31% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 520 babies. Since 2010, 834 more have been named Zacchaeus.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Lino, Neftali, Vishal, Haris, and Anjel.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Zacchaeus ranked highest in Tennessee, Texas, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | #1037 | 6 |
| Texas | #1482 | 13 |
| Florida | #1823 | 6 |
| California | #2461 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Zacchaeus is usually pronounced za-KEE-us, with two syllables. It has nine letters, starts with Z and ends in “-us”.
Middle names for Zacchaeus
A few middle names that flow with Zacchaeus: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Zacchaeus
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Lists that include Zacchaeus
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zacchaeus mean?
Zacchaeus is a Hebrew and Greek name that means “pure, innocent”.
What is the origin of the name Zacchaeus?
Zacchaeus has Hebrew and Greek roots. Zacchaeus comes to English through Greek from the Hebrew Zakkai, "pure" or "innocent." In the Gospel of Luke he is the rich chief tax collector of Jericho who climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus over the crowd, then promises to give half his goods to the poor and repay anyone he has cheated fourfold.
Is Zacchaeus a popular name?
Not especially. Zacchaeus ranked #2,389 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Zacchaeus a boy or girl name?
Zacchaeus is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Zacchaeus?
Zacchaeus is usually pronounced za-KEE-us. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings