Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Zeus
BoyGreek· “sky, bright”
- Meaning
- sky, bright
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- ZOOS
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,351
- US babies 2025
- 140
- Best rank
- #1,067 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Zeus
Zeus is a Greek name that means “sky, bright”.
Zeus is the king of the gods in Greek mythology, ruler of Mount Olympus and god of the sky and thunder. His name comes from an ancient Indo-European root meaning sky or bright, related to the Latin deus. As a given name it is bold and powerful, with a strong sense of authority. It fits into the trend of mythological names like Apollo and Atlas. The name is short, memorable and easy to pair with longer middle names.
Popularity over time
Zeus first appears in US Social Security records in 1973. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,067 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 205 babies. In 2025, 140 babies were named Zeus, and it ranked #1,351 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #2,921 in 2000, #2,036 in 2010, and #1,351 in 2025. Of the 2,696 US boys named Zeus since records began, 42% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 1,044 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Ash, Aariv, Ismail, Gadiel, and Arham.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Zeus ranked highest in Illinois, California, and Maryland.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | #868 | 10 |
| California | #883 | 27 |
| Maryland | #921 | 5 |
| Arizona | #925 | 6 |
| Texas | #1134 | 20 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Zeus is usually pronounced ZOOS, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with Z and ends in “-us”.
Middle names for Zeus
A few middle names that flow with Zeus: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Zeus
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Lists that include Zeus
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zeus mean?
Zeus is a Greek name that means “sky, bright”.
What is the origin of the name Zeus?
Zeus has Greek roots. Zeus is the king of the gods in Greek mythology, ruler of Mount Olympus and god of the sky and thunder.
Is Zeus a popular name?
Not especially. Zeus ranked #1,351 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Zeus a boy or girl name?
Zeus is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Zeus?
Zeus is usually pronounced ZOOS. 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