Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ziva
GirlHebrew, Slavic· “radiance; also Slavic goddess of life”
- Meaning
- radiance; also Slavic goddess of life
- Origin
- Hebrew, Slavic
- Pronunciation
- ZEE-vuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,580
- US babies 2025
- 134
- Best rank
- #1,243 (2011)
- Peak year
- 2011
Meaning and origin of Ziva
Ziva is a Hebrew and Slavic name that is usually said to mean “radiance; also Slavic goddess of life”.
Ziva has two separate roots. In Hebrew, ziv means radiance or brightness, and Ziva is a feminine name built on that word. In Slavic tradition, Ziva is the name of a goddess associated with life, from a root meaning "alive" that is found in words across the Slavic languages. Television audiences also know the name from Ziva David, a character on the series NCIS. Ziva is short, bright and easy to say, and its double heritage gives it both Hebrew and Slavic character.
Popularity over time
Ziva first appears in US Social Security records in 1960. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,243 in 2011, the same year it reached its highest count of 193 babies. In 2025, 134 babies were named Ziva, and it ranked #1,580 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,430 in 2010 and #1,580 in 2025. Of the 2,805 US girls named Ziva since records began, 57% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 989 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Caelyn, Zooey, Elly, Batsheva, and Peighton.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ziva ranked highest in Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | #1001 | 5 |
| New Jersey | #1167 | 6 |
| Virginia | #1178 | 6 |
| Washington | #1243 | 5 |
| Tennessee | #1312 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ziva is usually pronounced ZEE-vuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with Z and ends in “-va”.
Middle names for Ziva
A few middle names that flow with Ziva: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ziva
Similar names
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HAH-vuh
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TOH-vuh
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AY-vuh
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Iva Girl
EE-vuh
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Ilya Unisex
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Eva Girl
EE-vuh
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Rayna Girl
RAY-nuh
Hebrew
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Aviva Girl
uh-VEE-vuh
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Maeva Girl
mah-AY-vuh
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Nova Girl
NOH-vuh
“new” · Latin
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Jada Girl
JAY-duh
American (modern coinage)
#1,201
Lists that include Ziva
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ziva mean?
Ziva is a Hebrew and Slavic name that is usually said to mean “radiance; also Slavic goddess of life”.
What is the origin of the name Ziva?
Ziva has Hebrew and Slavic roots. Ziva has two separate roots.
Is Ziva a popular name?
Not especially. Ziva ranked #1,580 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ziva a boy or girl name?
Ziva is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ziva?
Ziva is usually pronounced ZEE-vuh. 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