Zen
How to say it: ZEN · /ˈzɛn/
From Japanese 'Zen', a Buddhist school derived from Sanskrit 'dhyana' (meditation); evokes calm and mindfulness.
Zen was the 1,016th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 228 babies of either sex (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up 2.3-fold in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #759 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 | #1,016 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 (both sexes) | 228 |
| Share of births | 1 in 14,540 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | ×2.3 |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #759 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,436 among boys’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Recent decades account for almost all use of Zen. Currently at its peak in the 2020s, it is expected to keep rising.
What goes with it
A single breathy syllable feels gentle, creative and easy across languages. Bodhi would sit comfortably beside it.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Zen is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, Hindi, Japanese.
In France: #2,436 for boys in 2025.
Keep exploring
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