UK boy's name
Zeki
A masculine Turkish name meaning intelligent, clever or bright.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Zeki is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Zeki popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2443, with 9 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 15 births.
This profile covers 155 England and Wales registrations across 26 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. 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 154 living people in the UK are called Zeki. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Zeki ranked #2443 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 9 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2021, when 15 boys were registered as Zeki.
- • About 154 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zeki as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2443
2024
Births in 2024
9
Latest year
Peak year
2021
15 births
Estimated living
154
2026
Meaning
What does Zeki mean?
The name Zeki has its roots in the Turkish language, originating from the Ottoman Empire period. It is derived from the Arabic word "Zakī," which means intelligent, clever, or wise. This name was commonly bestowed upon children with the hope that they would grow up to be intellectually gifted and possess sharp minds.
During the Ottoman era, the name Zeki gained popularity among the Turkish elite and scholarly circles. It was often associated with individuals who excelled in various fields of study, such as literature, philosophy, and science. The name held a prestigious connotation and was considered a mark of respect and admiration.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zeki can be found in the writings of the renowned Ottoman scholar and poet, Zeki Mehmed Efendi, who lived in the 17th century. His contributions to Turkish literature and his mastery of the Arabic and Persian languages earned him widespread recognition and admiration during his lifetime.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Zeki. One prominent example is Zeki Müren (1931-1996), a legendary Turkish singer and actor who was widely regarded as the "Sun of Art." His exceptional vocal talents and captivating stage presence made him an iconic figure in Turkish culture.
Another notable figure is Zeki Velidi Togan (1890-1970), a renowned Turkologist and historian. His extensive research and writings on the history of the Turkic peoples and their languages have made him a highly influential figure in the field of Turkology.
Zeki Arıkan (1936-2004) was a celebrated Turkish writer and poet, known for his contributions to modern Turkish literature. His works explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition, earning him critical acclaim and numerous literary awards.
Zeki Müren (1945-1998), while sharing the same name as the legendary singer, was a prominent Turkish mathematician and academic. His research in algebraic geometry and his contributions to the advancement of mathematical education in Turkey have left a lasting impact on the field.
It is important to note that while the name Zeki has its roots in the Turkish language and culture, it has also been embraced by various other cultures and communities over time, transcending geographical boundaries and linguistic barriers.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Zeki over time
The chart below shows babies named Zeki registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Zeki, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 9 births in 2024, compared with 15 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zeki by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zeki 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #2506 | 46 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3385 | 56 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2881 | 42 | 8 |
| 1990s | #2599 | 11 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Zeki
- Zachary 29,362
- Zak 9,988
- Zain 7,620
- Zac 7,272
- Zack 7,101
- Zakariya 5,447
- Zach 4,754
- Zayn 4,326
- Zachariah 3,234
- Zion 3,141
- Zane 2,818
- Zayd 2,609
FAQ
Zeki: questions and answers
How popular is the name Zeki in the UK right now?
In 2024, Zeki was ranked #2443 for boys in England and Wales, with 9 births registered.
When was Zeki most popular?
The peak year on record was 2021, with 15 babies registered as Zeki in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Zeki?
A masculine Turkish name meaning intelligent, clever or bright.
How many people are called Zeki in the UK?
A total of 155 babies have been registered as Zeki across the 26 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.