Zen

Meaning: Meditation
Origin: Japanese — From Zen, the school of Buddhism

Boy's name · #1144 in the US (2025) · 2020s wave

Popularity over time

Zen is near its high-water mark: it reached #906 in 2022 and still ranked #1144 in 2025. About 2,700 boys have carried it since 1969.

Across the states

See where Zen is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 19 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Zen ranks in other countries and regions.

#829 in Ireland (2025) · #1,153 in England & Wales (2025) · #1,944 in Canada (2025) · #2,144 in Sweden (2025) · #3,570 in Austria (2025) · #6,714 in France (2025) · #7,378 in Ecuador (2025) · #2,927 in Italy (2023) · #1,395 in Belgium (2010) · #403 in Scotland (1997).

Famous Zens

Zen Gesner — American actor (born 1970)
Zen Mitani — Japanese motorcycle racer (born 2007)
Zen Michalski — American football player
Zen Malik — English cricketer (born 1998)
Zen Chong — Malaysian actor (born 1978)

In stories & tradition

Zen — Blake's 7 (TV series)
Zen Cartman — South Park: Phone Destroyer (video game)

What Zens become

Among 38 notable people named Zen:

Entertainers appear 2.04× more often than among typical names — e.g. Zen Gesner, American actor (born 1970).

Similar names: Aizen · Zev · Atharv · Ren · Kylin · Kannon

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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