Zainab
How to say it: ZAY-nub · /ˈzeɪnəb/
Arabic name traditionally meaning 'fragrant flowering tree'. Name of a daughter and granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad.
Zainab was the 544th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 338 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 8% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #489 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #544 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 338 |
| Share of births | 1 in 6,173 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +8% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #489 |
| In France, 2025 | #87 among girls’ names, 65 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Zainab has climbed to its strongest showing in the 2020s. Holding at the top now, it is likely to rise further.
What goes with it
Softly crisp with a humming finish, Zainab feels graceful and steady. Fatima shares its cadence.
Nicknames
- Zai
- Zina
Honouring a Zainab in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Zainab is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Arabic, English, French, Hindi.
In France: #87 for girls in 2025.
England and Wales: #128. Ireland: #293.
Famous people named Zainab
- Zainab Hawa Bangura (born 1959)Sierra Leonean politician
- Zainab Salbi (born 1969)Iraqi American author, women's rights activist
- Zainab bint Muhammad (599–629)Eldest daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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