Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Zendaya
GirlAmerican (modern coinage)· “uncertain; said to mean give thanks”
- Meaning
- uncertain; said to mean give thanks (origin disputed)
- Origin
- American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- zen-DAY-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,189
- US babies 2025
- 195
- Best rank
- #680 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Zendaya
Zendaya is often said to mean “uncertain; said to mean give thanks”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) roots.
Zendaya is a modern name whose origin is uncertain. It is often said to come from a Shona word meaning to give thanks, but that link is not firmly established. The name is best known through the actress and singer Zendaya, whose success has brought it wide attention. It has a bright, rhythmic sound, with stress on the second syllable. Zendaya feels bold, stylish and distinctive. It suits families who like modern names with a strong pop-culture presence. Zen and Daya are possible nicknames.
Popularity over time
Zendaya first appears in US Social Security records in 2011. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 10 different years, starting in 2014. Its best national rank was #680 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 430 babies. In 2025, 195 babies were named Zendaya, and it ranked #1,189 nationally. That is 46% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Of the 3,873 US girls named Zendaya since records began, 53% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 1,816 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Taytum, Kaeli, Persephone, Dani, and Theodora.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Zendaya ranked highest in Massachusetts, Louisiana, and Georgia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #623 | 9 |
| Louisiana | #775 | 6 |
| Georgia | #852 | 12 |
| Ohio | #876 | 11 |
| South Carolina | #915 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Zendaya is usually pronounced zen-DAY-uh, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with Z and ends in “-ya”.
Middle names for Zendaya
A few middle names that flow with Zendaya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Zendaya
Similar names
Aniya Girl
uh-NY-uh
“modern name, possibly from Anya” · American (modern coinage)
#1,071
Amiya Girl
uh-MY-uh
“uncertain; often linked to nectar” · American (modern coinage)
#1,809
Sariya Girl
sah-REE-yuh
“modern name, meaning uncertain” · Arabic
#2,508
Alaya Girl
uh-LAY-uh
“uncertain; possibly Sanskrit for abode” · American (modern coinage)
#368
Ariya Girl
AR-ee-uh
“variant of Aria; possibly noble” · American (modern coinage)
#615
Taniya Girl
tuh-NY-uh
“modern form of Tania” · American (modern coinage)
#5,890
Kaya Girl
KY-uh
“rock (Turkish); several other sources” · Turkish
#1,133
Miya Girl
MEE-yuh
“shrine, temple (Japanese); form of Mia” · Japanese
#1,681
Kya Girl
KY-uh
“uncertain; modern name” · American (modern coinage)
#1,237
Aarya Girl
AHR-yuh
“noble” · Sanskrit
#1,258
Nya Girl
NY-uh
“modern name; uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#2,767
Reya Girl
RAY-uh
“modern name of uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#1,003
Lists that include Zendaya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zendaya mean?
Zendaya is often said to mean “uncertain; said to mean give thanks”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) roots.
What is the origin of the name Zendaya?
Zendaya has modern American roots. Zendaya is a modern name whose origin is uncertain.
Is Zendaya a popular name?
Not especially. Zendaya ranked #1,189 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Zendaya a boy or girl name?
Zendaya is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Zendaya?
Zendaya is usually pronounced zen-DAY-uh. 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