Zachary is a popular male given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God remembers." It is derived from the Hebrew name Zechariah, which consists of two elements: "Zakhor," meaning "remember," and "-yah," which is a suffix used to denote a masculine name.
The name Zachary has been in use since biblical times. In the Old Testament, Zechariah was one of the twelve Minor Prophets whose visions are recorded in the Book of Zechariah. He lived during the sixth century BCE and played a significant role in rebuilding the Jerusalem Temple after the Babylonian exile.
In recent years, Zachary has gained popularity as a given name for boys. It is often shortened to Zach or Zac, and it shares its popularity with other names that have biblical origins such as Samuel, Noah, and Ethan. Variations of the name include Zackery, Zacchaeus, andzecharias.
Zachary is also known to be the patron saint of young men who desire purity in life. Saint Zachary was a bishop during the fourth century CE, and he was celebrated for his holiness, wisdom, and generosity towards the poor.
In terms of its popularity, Zachary has consistently ranked among the top 500 names for boys in the United States since the early 20th century. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it peaked at number 78 in popularity during the year 2000, before declining slightly in recent years.
Overall, Zachary is a strong and meaningful name with biblical origins that has stood the test of time and continues to be chosen by parents for their sons. Its meaning "God remembers" may hold particular appeal for those seeking a name with spiritual significance.
"Zacheus is an uncommon name, with birth numbers ranging from a low of 5 in 2007 to a high of 8 in 1992. There were no recorded births for this name between the years 1993 and 2000, nor again after 2013. Overall, there have been 33 babies named Zacheus since 1992."