Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Zipporah
GirlHebrew· “bird”
- Meaning
- bird
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- zih-POR-uh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #2,238
- US babies 2025
- 83
- Best rank
- #2,189 (2018)
- Peak year
- 2018
Meaning and origin of Zipporah
Zipporah is a Hebrew name that means “bird”.
Zipporah is a Hebrew name meaning bird, from tsippor. In the Book of Exodus, Zipporah is the wife of Moses and daughter of Jethro, the priest of Midian, and she is remembered for a brief, dramatic episode in which she saves Moses's life. The name was used by English Puritans and later in African American communities, which have long drawn on Old Testament names. It is said zih-POR-uh, with the stress on the middle syllable. The name has a lively sound and nicknames such as Zippy and Pora. Modern Hebrew forms include Tzipora, and the name also appears as Sephora in some languages.
Popularity over time
Zipporah first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,189 in 2018, the same year it reached its highest count of 86 babies. In 2025, 83 babies were named Zipporah, and it ranked #2,238 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #6,108 in 1950, #3,852 in 1980, #2,305 in 2000, #2,840 in 2010, and #2,238 in 2025. Of the 2,632 US girls named Zipporah since records began, 26% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 638 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Aleen, Abella, Miliana, Joie, and Sparrow.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Zipporah ranked highest in Washington, Ohio, and Georgia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | #1242 | 5 |
| Ohio | #1268 | 7 |
| Georgia | #1787 | 5 |
| Texas | #3282 | 6 |
| California | #3529 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Zipporah is usually pronounced zih-POR-uh, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with Z and ends in “-ah”.
Middle names for Zipporah
A few middle names that flow with Zipporah: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Zipporah
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Lists that include Zipporah
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zipporah mean?
Zipporah is a Hebrew name that means “bird”.
What is the origin of the name Zipporah?
Zipporah has Hebrew roots. Zipporah is a Hebrew name meaning bird, from tsippor.
Is Zipporah a popular name?
Not especially. Zipporah ranked #2,238 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Zipporah a boy or girl name?
Zipporah is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Zipporah?
Zipporah is usually pronounced zih-POR-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