Names › Girls' names › Z › Zoe

Zoe

Meaning: life · Origin: Greek · Gender: usually a girl's name

Origin & history

From Greek zōē, 'life'. It was used by early Christians, and Zoe was a Byzantine empress in the 11th century.

Famous people named Zoe

Zoe Saldaña (actor)
Zoë Kravitz (actor)

Nicknames

Zo, Zozo

Variants & related names

Zoë, Zoey, Zoé

Zoe name art

A free preview of a printable “Zoe” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Zoe mean?

Zoe means “life”. It comes from Greek.

Is Zoe a popular name?

Yes — Zoe has been one of the most popular girls' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Zoe?

Zo, Zozo.

What are other forms of Zoe?

Zoë, Zoey, Zoé.

Similar names

Ophelia · Selena · Tessa · Thea · Evangeline · Kate

More: names starting with Z · all girls' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.