NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Zeus

Masculine name of Greek origin meaning "chief" or "king" of the gods.

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.

Zeus is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Zeus popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2263, with 10 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 12 births.

This profile covers 131 England and Wales registrations across 19 recorded years from 2002 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 83% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 130 living people in the UK are called Zeus. 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

  • Zeus ranked #2263 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 10 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2021, when 12 boys were registered as Zeus.
  • About 130 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zeus as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2263

2024

Births in 2024

10

Latest year

Peak year

2021

12 births

Estimated living

130

2026

Meaning

What does Zeus mean?

The given name Zeus originates from the ancient Greek language and culture. It dates back to the 8th century BCE or earlier, during the archaic period of ancient Greece. The name is derived from the Greek word "Dios," which means "sky" or "day." It is the name of the supreme deity in ancient Greek mythology, the ruler of Mount Olympus and the god of sky and thunder.

Zeus is a prominent name in Greek mythology, appearing extensively in the works of ancient Greek writers and poets such as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. These epic poems, believed to have been composed around the 8th century BCE, feature Zeus as a central figure and the king of the gods.

The earliest recorded use of the name Zeus can be traced back to ancient Greek inscriptions and artifacts from the 8th century BCE or earlier. One of the most famous individuals named Zeus in ancient Greek history was Zeus Ammon, a historical figure who lived in the 6th century BCE and was revered as a god in some parts of ancient Greece.

Throughout history, the name Zeus has been borne by several notable individuals, including:

1. Zeus of Crete (4th century BCE), a Greek philosopher and disciple of Parmenides. 2. Zeus of Sidon (3rd century BCE), a Greek philosopher and Academic skeptic. 3. Zeus Amitrochates (2nd century BCE), a Greco-Bactrian ruler in the region of modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. 4. Zeus Chytron (1st century BCE), a Greek philosopher and Epicurean. 5. Zeus Kasios (1st century CE), a Roman-era Greek philosopher and Peripatetic.

The name Zeus has been associated with power, authority, and divinity throughout its history, reflecting its origins as the name of the supreme deity in ancient Greek mythology. Its enduring presence in various literary works and historical records highlights its cultural significance and impact on the ancient Greek civilization.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Zeus over time

The chart below shows babies named Zeus registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 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 Zeus, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 10 births in 2024, compared with 12 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Zeus
036912200220132024

Decades

Zeus by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zeus 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 #2195 50 5
2010s #3139 65 10
2000s #3220 16 4

Related

Names similar to Zeus

FAQ

Zeus: questions and answers

How popular is the name Zeus in the UK right now?

In 2024, Zeus was ranked #2263 for boys in England and Wales, with 10 births registered.

When was Zeus most popular?

The peak year on record was 2021, with 12 babies registered as Zeus in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Zeus?

Masculine name of Greek origin meaning "chief" or "king" of the gods.

How many people are called Zeus in the UK?

A total of 131 babies have been registered as Zeus across the 19 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.