Zaire
How to say it: zy-EER · /zaɪˈɪr/
From Kikongo 'nzadi o nzere' (river that swallows rivers); the Congo River's name and former name of the DRC.
Zaire was the 228th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 601 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up 3.7-fold in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #126 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #228 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 601 |
| Share of births | 1 in 1,896 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | ×3.7 |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #126 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,330 among boys’ names, 15 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Born of recent decades, Zaire hit its stride in the 2020s. Currently at its fullest strength, it seems poised for more increase.
What goes with it
Flowing and soft with a breath of air, pronounced zy EER, it feels creative and rooted in place. Cairo makes a vivid partner.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Zaire is about 1 in 79.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, Portuguese.
In France: #1,330 for boys in 2025.
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