UK girl's name
Zeynab
A feminine name with Arabic roots, meaning "fruitful, beautiful tree".
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.
Zeynab is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Zeynab popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2771, with 9 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2019, with 9 births.
This profile covers 136 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 135 living people in the UK are called Zeynab. 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
- • Zeynab ranked #2771 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 9 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2019, when 9 girls were registered as Zeynab.
- • About 135 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zeynab as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2771
2024
Births in 2024
9
Latest year
Peak year
2019
9 births
Estimated living
135
2026
Meaning
What does Zeynab mean?
The name Zeynab originates from the Arabic language and has its roots in the Middle Eastern and Islamic cultures. It is derived from the Arabic word "zayn," which means "adornment" or "beauty."
Zeynab is a revered name in Islamic tradition, as it was the name of one of the daughters of the Prophet Muhammad. Zeynab bint Muhammad, born around 629 CE in Medina, was known for her piety, wisdom, and devotion to her faith. She played a significant role in the early years of Islam and is highly respected by Muslims around the world.
The name Zeynab is also mentioned in the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, adding to its significance and popularity among Muslims. It is often associated with virtues such as patience, resilience, and strength of character.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Zeynab can be found in the historical accounts of the Battle of Karbala, which took place in 680 CE. Zeynab bint Ali, the daughter of Imam Ali and Fatimah, and the granddaughter of Prophet Muhammad, was a prominent figure during this event and is revered for her courage and eloquence in defending her family's rights.
Throughout history, there have been many notable women who bore the name Zeynab. Here are five examples:
1. Zeynab bint Jahsh (594-641 CE): She was the fifth wife of Prophet Muhammad and is highly respected in Islamic history.
2. Zeynab an-Nafzawiyyah (805-865 CE): A renowned Muslim saint and mystic from Egypt, known for her spiritual wisdom and teachings.
3. Zeynab Begum (1638-1702): She was the daughter of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and played a significant role in the cultural and literary life of the Mughal court.
4. Zeynab Fawwaz (1846-1914): An Egyptian feminist and writer who advocated for women's rights and education in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
5. Zeynab Khatoun Anzali (1857-1924): An Iranian poet and writer who was a prominent figure in the literary circles of her time.
The name Zeynab has remained popular throughout the centuries, particularly in the Middle East and among Muslim communities worldwide, due to its deep religious and cultural significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Zeynab over time
The chart below shows babies named Zeynab 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 Zeynab, the clearest high point is 2019. The latest England and Wales figure is 9 births in 2024, compared with 9 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zeynab by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zeynab 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 | #3335 | 29 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3863 | 58 | 10 |
| 2000s | #4056 | 37 | 9 |
| 1990s | #3223 | 12 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Zeynab
- 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
Zeynab: questions and answers
How popular is the name Zeynab in the UK right now?
In 2024, Zeynab was ranked #2771 for girls in England and Wales, with 9 births registered.
When was Zeynab most popular?
The peak year on record was 2019, with 9 babies registered as Zeynab in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Zeynab?
A feminine name with Arabic roots, meaning "fruitful, beautiful tree".
How many people are called Zeynab in the UK?
A total of 136 babies have been registered as Zeynab 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.