UK girl's name
Zanab
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "wing" or "feather".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Zanab is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Zanab popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5545, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 5 births.
This profile covers 24 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 1996 to 2008. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 24 living people in the UK are called Zanab. 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 2009 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Zanab ranked #5545 for girls in England and Wales in 2008, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 5 girls were registered as Zanab.
- • About 24 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zanab as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5545
2008
Births in 2008
3
Latest year
Peak year
1999
5 births
Estimated living
24
2026
Meaning
What does Zanab mean?
The name Zanab originates from the Arabic language and has its roots in the Islamic culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "zanab," which means "tail" or "something trailing behind." The name likely gained significance during the early days of Islam, around the 7th century AD.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zanab can be found in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. It is mentioned as the name of the wife of Prophet Muhammad's cousin, Abuzar Ghaffari. This association with a prominent figure in Islamic history lent the name a sense of reverence and cultural significance.
In the centuries following the birth of Islam, the name Zanab gained popularity among Arab communities and gradually spread to other regions with significant Muslim populations. It was embraced by families seeking to honor their Islamic heritage and connect their children to the rich cultural traditions of the faith.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Zanab. One of the earliest recorded instances is Zanab bint Jahsh (594-641 AD), who was a wife of Prophet Muhammad and is remembered as a prominent figure in early Islamic history. Another historical figure was Zanab bint Al-Awam (620-656 AD), a companion of Prophet Muhammad and a renowned scholar of her time.
In the realm of literature, Zanab Bunduqdari (1098-1157 AD) was a celebrated Persian poet and writer who made significant contributions to the literary landscape of her era. Her works, including poetry collections and philosophical treatises, earned her widespread acclaim and recognition.
Moving forward in time, Zanab Khanum (1805-1886) was an influential figure in the Ottoman Empire. She was a member of the imperial family and played a crucial role in promoting education and social reforms during her lifetime.
Another notable bearer of the name was Zanab Shakir Kurdi (1886-1968), a pioneering Syrian feminist and activist who fought for women's rights and education in the early 20th century. Her efforts helped pave the way for greater gender equality and social progress in the region.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have carried the name Zanab and left their mark in various fields, from religion and literature to social reform and activism.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Zanab over time
The chart below shows babies named Zanab registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2008. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Zanab, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2008, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zanab by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zanab 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 | #4559 | 16 | 5 |
| 1990s | #3283 | 8 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Zanab
- 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
Zanab: questions and answers
How popular is the name Zanab in the UK right now?
In 2008, Zanab was ranked #5545 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Zanab most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 5 babies registered as Zanab in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Zanab?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "wing" or "feather".
How many people are called Zanab in the UK?
A total of 24 babies have been registered as Zanab across the 7 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.