How popular isyour name?

Boy name

Zen

As of 2025, Zen ranks #1141 among American boys' names, according to Social Security records. 185 boys received the name that year. The ranking has held remarkably steady over the last five years. SSA records for Zen go back to 1969; the peak came in 2022 at #905, with 256 babies named that year. Geographically, it's strongest in Maryland, where it ranks #516 among boy names.

Rankings

2025 rank
#1141
among boy names
Trend
Stable
last 5 years
All-time peak
#905
in 2022 (2020s)
Babies in 2025
185
boys named Zen

Zen popularity, 1880–2025

0.004%0.008%0.012%0.016%18801900192019401960198020002020#905 in 2022
Boys — share of U.S. male birthsSource: SSA, 1880–2025◆ peak 2022

Where Zen is most popular

Alaska: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025AKMaine: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025MEVermont: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025VTNew Hampshire: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025NHWashington: #639 (10 boys, 0.03% of boys born 2025)WA#639Idaho: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025IDMontana: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025MTNorth Dakota: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025NDMinnesota: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025MNWisconsin: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025WIMichigan: #999 (6 boys, 0.01% of boys born 2025)MI#999New York: #692 (21 boys, 0.02% of boys born 2025)NY#692Massachusetts: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025MARhode Island: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025RIOregon: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025ORNevada: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025NVWyoming: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025WYSouth Dakota: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025SDIowa: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025IAIllinois: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025ILIndiana: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025INOhio: #1267 (5 boys, 0.01% of boys born 2025)OH#1267Pennsylvania: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025PANew Jersey: #707 (9 boys, 0.02% of boys born 2025)NJ#707Connecticut: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025CTCalifornia: #1011 (21 boys, 0.01% of boys born 2025)CA#1011Utah: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025UTColorado: #756 (6 boys, 0.02% of boys born 2025)CO#756Nebraska: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025NEMissouri: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025MOKentucky: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025KYWest Virginia: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025WVVirginia: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025VAMaryland: #516 (9 boys, 0.04% of boys born 2025)MD#516Delaware: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025DEArizona: #927 (5 boys, 0.02% of boys born 2025)AZ#927New Mexico: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025NMKansas: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025KSArkansas: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025ARTennessee: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025TNNorth Carolina: #873 (9 boys, 0.02% of boys born 2025)NC#873South Carolina: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025SCDistrict of Columbia: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025DCOklahoma: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025OKLouisiana: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025LAMississippi: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025MSAlabama: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025ALGeorgia: #673 (14 boys, 0.03% of boys born 2025)GA#673Hawaii: fewer than 5 boys named Zen in 2025HITexas: #1217 (17 boys, 0.01% of boys born 2025)TX#1217Florida: #846 (17 boys, 0.02% of boys born 2025)FL#846
Share of boys born in 2025:lowhighno data (< 5 births)
Strongest states: Maryland (#516), Washington (#639), Georgia (#673)

Uniqueness score

56/ 100Balanced
everywhereone of a kind

Well known, but far from crowded — the middle of the field. Based on how many babies per birth were named Zen in the most recent year of SSA data.

Compare Zen