UK girl's name
Zam
A unique unisex name of uncertain origin and meaning.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2004. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Zam is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Zam popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2004 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4598, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2001 to 2004. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Zam. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2005 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Zam ranked #4598 for girls in England and Wales in 2004, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 3 girls were registered as Zam.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zam as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4598
2004
Births in 2004
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Zam mean?
The name Zam has its origins in ancient Persia, now known as Iran. It is believed to have derived from the Old Persian word "zam," which meant "earth" or "land." This name dates back to the Achaemenid Empire, which ruled over much of the ancient world from circa 550 BC to 330 BC.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zam can be found in the Behistun Inscription, a multi-lingual inscription carved on a rock face in present-day Kermanshah Province, Iran. This inscription, created in 520 BC, details the rise of Darius the Great to the Persian throne and mentions several individuals with the name Zam.
In ancient Persian mythology, Zam was also the name of a legendary warrior known for his bravery and strength. His exploits were documented in the epic poem "Shahnameh" by the renowned Persian poet Ferdowsi, who lived from 940 AD to 1020 AD.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Zam. One such figure was Zam Zamaspandyat, a renowned Persian astrologer and scholar who lived during the reign of the Sassanid Empire in the 6th century AD. His astrological works and predictions were highly regarded during his time.
Another prominent bearer of the name was Zam Zammah, a legendary cannon cast in the 16th century during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This massive cannon, weighing over 17 tons, was a symbol of the Mughal Empire's military prowess and was used in several battles.
In the 19th century, Zam Khan was a prominent Afghan military leader and governor of Herat Province. He played a crucial role in the First Anglo-Afghan War, leading Afghan forces against the British invasion in 1839.
Moving into the 20th century, Zam Wesell was an influential German architect and urban planner who lived from 1893 to 1962. He was known for his modernist designs and his contributions to the reconstruction of cities after World War II.
Finally, Zam Zammouri was a Tunisian artist and sculptor who lived from 1922 to 1995. His works, often incorporating traditional Tunisian elements and motifs, were widely celebrated and can be found in numerous galleries and public spaces across Tunisia.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Zam over time
The chart below shows babies named Zam registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2004. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Zam, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2004, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zam by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zam was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4298 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Zam
- Zoe 23,808
- Zara 19,377
- Zainab 9,407
- Zahra 8,438
- Zoya 4,523
- Zuzanna 4,231
- Zaynab 3,722
- Zofia 2,773
- Zaynah 1,472
- Zaina 1,376
- Zoey 1,262
- Zarah 1,167
FAQ
Zam: questions and answers
How popular is the name Zam in the UK right now?
In 2004, Zam was ranked #4598 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Zam most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 3 babies registered as Zam in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Zam?
A unique unisex name of uncertain origin and meaning.
How many people are called Zam in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Zam across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.