Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Zachary
BoyHebrew· “Yahweh remembers”
- Meaning
- Yahweh remembers
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- ZA-kur-ee
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #216
- US babies 2025
- 1,646
- Best rank
- #12 (1994)
- Peak year
- 1993
Meaning and origin of Zachary
Zachary is a Hebrew name that means “Yahweh remembers”.
Zachary is the English form of Zacharias, the Greek version of the Hebrew Zekharyah, "Yahweh remembers". In the New Testament, Zechariah is the father of John the Baptist, and in the Hebrew Bible Zechariah is one of the minor prophets. Zachary has been used in England since the Middle Ages and gained ground after the Reformation. Zachary Taylor, the twelfth president of the United States, is a famous bearer. The name surged in popularity in the late twentieth century. It sounds friendly and bright, with Zach, Zack and Zac as common nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Zachery, Zackery.
Popularity over time
Zachary first appears in US Social Security records in 1900. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 80 different years, starting in 1946. Its best national rank was #12 in 1994, and the most babies received it in 1993, when 25,538 were named Zachary. In 2025, 1,646 babies were named Zachary, and it ranked #216 nationally. That is 66% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,129 in 1920, #554 in 1950, #72 in 1980, #15 in 2000, #61 in 2010, and #216 in 2025. Of the 551,752 US boys named Zachary since records began, 41% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 134,756 babies. Since 2010, 64,354 more have been named Zachary.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Brandon, Tyler, Alexander, and Cody.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Zachary ranked highest in New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #126 | 77 |
| New York | #128 | 147 |
| Massachusetts | #134 | 54 |
| Delaware | #139 | 8 |
| Connecticut | #140 | 27 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Zachary is usually pronounced ZA-kur-ee, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with Z and ends in “-ry”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Zachery and Zackery.
Middle names for Zachary
A few middle names that flow with Zachary: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Zachary
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Lists that include Zachary
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zachary mean?
Zachary is a Hebrew name that means “Yahweh remembers”.
What is the origin of the name Zachary?
Zachary has Hebrew roots. Zachary is the English form of Zacharias, the Greek version of the Hebrew Zekharyah, "Yahweh remembers".
Is Zachary a popular name?
Yes. Zachary ranked #216 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Zachary a boy or girl name?
Zachary is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Zachary?
Zachary is usually pronounced ZA-kur-ee. 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