Zacchaeus is a name of Hebrew origin that means "pure" or "innocent." It is derived from the Hebrew word "tzawwka," which signifies purity and innocence. In the New Testament of the Bible, Zacchaeus is a prominent figure who was a chief tax collector in Jericho. He was considered wealthy due to his position but also unpopular among the locals because of his high taxes. Despite this, Zacchaeus displayed humility by climbing up a sycamore tree to see Jesus when he entered Jericho. This act of humility eventually led to him meeting Jesus personally and being transformed spiritually. Today, Zacchaeus is still recognized as a symbol of faith, perseverance, and transformation in Christian communities around the world.
The name Zacchaeus experienced a significant surge in popularity from the late 1980s onwards, with a notable spike in births occurring annually between 1992 and 2000, peaking at 71 births in 2003. However, since then, its popularity has declined, with fewer than 60 births per year recorded from 2005 onwards, and as low as 38 births in 2021. Overall, Zacchaeus has been given to 1864 children since 1974.