Zaire
Gender: Boy
Meaning: River, the river that swallows all rivers
Origin: Kongo/Portuguese
Popularity: Ranked #503 in 2025 with 601 babies born.
History: From the Kongo word 'nzere' meaning the river that swallows all rivers, referring to the Congo River. Zaire was the former name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It has been used as a boys' name in the US.
Name length: 5 letters
How common is Zaire? About 1 in 5,475 babies born in 2025 were named Zaire, or roughly 1.7 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Zaire
What does the name Zaire mean?
Zaire means “River, the river that swallows all rivers” from Kongo/Portuguese roots.
What is the origin of the name Zaire?
Zaire has Kongo/Portuguese origin. The traditional meaning is “River, the river that swallows all rivers”.
How popular is Zaire?
Zaire ranked #503 in 2025 — given to 601 babies that year.
When was Zaire most popular?
Zaire peaked in 2023 with 655 babies registered that year.
Is Zaire a boy or girl name?
Zaire is used for both boys and girls. In the records, about 87% of Zaires are boys and 13% are girls.
Is the name Zaire rising or falling in popularity?
Zaire has risen 8032 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #8535 in 2020 to #503 in 2025.
How long has Zaire been recorded?
Zaire appears in birth records across 50 years — from 1974 through 2025.