Zen
Gender: Mostly Boy
Meaning: Meditation, contemplation, peaceful
Origin: Japanese/Sanskrit
Popularity: Ranked #1144 in 2025 with 185 babies born.
History: From the Japanese form of the Chinese 'chan,' itself from the Sanskrit 'dhyana' meaning meditation. Zen Buddhism emphasizes meditation and mindfulness. As a name, it evokes peace, presence, and clarity.
Name length: 3 letters
How common is Zen? About 1 in 14,599 babies born in 2025 were named Zen, or roughly 0.6 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Zen
What does the name Zen mean?
Zen means “Meditation, contemplation, peaceful” from Japanese/Sanskrit roots.
What is the origin of the name Zen?
Zen has Japanese/Sanskrit origin. The traditional meaning is “Meditation, contemplation, peaceful”.
How popular is Zen?
Zen ranked #1141 in 2025 — given to 185 babies that year.
When was Zen most popular?
Zen peaked in 2022 with 255 babies registered that year.
Is Zen a boy or girl name?
Zen is used for both boys and girls. In the records, about 82% of Zens are boys and 18% are girls.
Is the name Zen rising or falling in popularity?
Zen has risen 2099 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #3240 in 2020 to #1141 in 2025.
How long has Zen been recorded?
Zen appears in birth records across 39 years — from 1969 through 2025.