How Many People Are Named Zara?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Zara

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 31,250 living people in the United States currently have the first name Zara. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 36,004 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #79 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~31,250CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)36,004Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#79U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1978 (774 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~31,250
Historical Births (SSA)
36,004
All-Time Rank
#79
Historical Peak
1978

Key Insights for Zara

Estimated Living Bearers
~31,250 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#79
Top 100 All-Time Classic
Historical Peak Year
1978
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
89.1% Male · 10.9% Female
Recent 10-Year Trajectory
Softening (-31%)
2015–2024 SSA birth registration trend
Largest Estimated Population
California
~3,906 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Zara

Living Population Model
~31,250

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
36,004

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
30,769

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
42.8 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1978

Highest annual total: 774 registrations in 1978.

Recent 10-Year Trend
declining (-31%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Between 2015 and 2024, Zara has experienced a 31% softening in annual newborn registrations from preceding decades.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Zara (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1978 (~774 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201019617422
201118116120
201216714918
201315413717
201414212616
201513111714
201612110813
201711210012
20181039211
2019958510
2020897910
202182739
202277698
202372648
202467607

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
19/100
1950s
44/100
1960s
76/100
1970s
98/100
1980s
94/100
1990s
66/100
2000s
39/100
2010s
18/100
2020s
5/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historically in the U.S., Zara has been predominantly masculine (89.1% male vs 10.9% female).

Male: 89.1% (~32,096 births)Female: 10.9% (~3,908 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Zara

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Zara in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Zara appeared 30,769 times, ranking #579 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
30,769 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#579
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Zara Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~3,906 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~3,90612.5%
Texas (TX)~2,8759.2%
Florida (FL)~2,1256.8%
New York (NY)~1,9066.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~1,2504%
Illinois (IL)~1,2193.9%
Ohio (OH)~1,1253.6%
Georgia (GA)~1,0313.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 31,250 people named Zara are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 42.8 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Zara: 42.8 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

Explore all variants →

Frequently Asked Questions About Zara

How many people in the U.S. are named Zara?

Approximately 31,250 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Zara. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 36,004 birth applications for Zara between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Zara?

Zara ranks #79 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This puts Zara among the 100 most common first names in American history.

When was the name Zara most popular in America?

The name Zara reached its peak historical popularity in 1978, when 774 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Zara?

Zara has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Zara?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historically in the U.S., Zara has been predominantly masculine (89.1% male vs 10.9% female).

Where is the name Zara most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Zara resides in California, with approximately 3,906 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Zara in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Zara appeared 30,769 times in census returns, ranking #579 in official 2020 returns.

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