UK name, mostly boys
Zhen
A Chinese given name meaning precious, valuable, or genuine.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Zhen is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Zhen popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4632, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 8 births.
This profile covers 38 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 2002 to 2014. 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 38 living people in the UK are called Zhen. 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 2015 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Zhen ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 8 boys were registered as Zhen.
- • About 38 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zhen as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 90.5% of Zhen registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4632
2014
Births in 2014
3
Latest year
Peak year
2011
8 births
Estimated living
38
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Zhen
In England and Wales birth records, Zhen has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 90.5% of registrations are for boys and 9.5% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Zhen registered for boys
- Ranked #4,632 in 2014
- 3 boys registered in 2014
- Peak: 2011 (8 births)
Zhen registered for girls
- Ranked #4,564 in 2009
- 4 girls registered in 2009
- Peak: 2009 (4 births)
Meaning
What does Zhen mean?
The name Zhen has its origins in Chinese culture and language. It is a unisex name that has been in use for centuries. The name is derived from the Chinese character '贞', which means 'pure', 'chaste', or 'virtuous'. It is a name that carries a sense of moral uprightness and integrity.
In ancient Chinese texts and literature, the name Zhen is often associated with individuals of great virtue and character. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name can be found in the Shijing, also known as the Book of Songs, which dates back to the 11th-7th centuries BC. In this ancient collection of poetry, the name Zhen is used to refer to a virtuous and upright individual.
Throughout Chinese history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Zhen. One of the most famous is Zhen Luan, a renowned calligrapher and painter who lived during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). His works are celebrated for their elegance and mastery of the brushstroke.
Another prominent individual with the name Zhen is Zhen Dexiu (1178-1235), a Confucian scholar and philosopher during the Song Dynasty. He was known for his contributions to the Neo-Confucian school of thought and his teachings on moral cultivation.
In more recent history, there is Zhen Chengxu (1815-1879), a prominent Qing Dynasty scholar and statesman. He was a prolific writer and played a significant role in the Self-Strengthening Movement, which aimed to modernize China's military and industry.
Zhen Zonglian (1892-1924) was a Chinese revolutionary and military leader who fought against warlordism and for the reunification of China. He is remembered for his bravery and unwavering commitment to the cause of national unity.
Lastly, Zhen Zhengdao (1913-1996) was a renowned Chinese calligrapher and artist, known for his mastery of the traditional Chinese brush painting technique. His works are celebrated for their graceful lines and harmonious compositions.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Zhen, a name that carries a rich cultural significance and a sense of virtue and integrity.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Zhen over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Zhen in England and Wales, from 2002 to 2014. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Zhen, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2014, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zhen by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zhen 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3402 | 22 | 4 |
| 2000s | #3213 | 16 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Zhen
- 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
Zhen: questions and answers
How popular is the name Zhen in the UK right now?
In 2014, Zhen was ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Zhen most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 8 babies registered as Zhen in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Zhen?
A Chinese given name meaning precious, valuable, or genuine.
How many people are called Zhen in the UK?
A total of 38 babies have been registered as Zhen across the 8 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.