UK boy's name
Zico
A Portuguese masculine given name likely originating as a nickname.
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.
Zico is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Zico popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4270, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2000, with 8 births.
This profile covers 118 England and Wales registrations across 23 recorded years from 1997 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 117 living people in the UK are called Zico. 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
- • Zico ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2000, when 8 boys were registered as Zico.
- • About 117 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zico as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4270
2024
Births in 2024
4
Latest year
Peak year
2000
8 births
Estimated living
117
2026
Meaning
What does Zico mean?
The given name Zico has its origins in the Portuguese language, and it is believed to have emerged during the medieval period in Portugal. The name is a diminutive form of the name Francisco, which is derived from the Germanic name Frankisk, meaning "a Frank" or "a free man."
Zico was a popular name among Portuguese speakers during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance era. It was commonly used as a nickname or a shortened version of Francisco, particularly among the lower classes and in rural areas. The name gained popularity due to its simplicity and ease of pronunciation.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zico can be found in historical documents from the 15th century, where it appears as a reference to various individuals. However, the name did not gain widespread recognition until the 16th and 17th centuries, when several notable figures bore this name.
One of the most famous individuals named Zico in history was Zico Alves Pinto, a Brazilian professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He was born on March 3, 1953, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zico played for several clubs, including Flamengo and the Brazilian national team, and was known for his exceptional technical skills and goal-scoring abilities.
Another notable individual named Zico was Zico Góes, a Brazilian singer-songwriter and actor who was born on December 24, 1951. He rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s as part of the Jovem Guarda movement in Brazilian music and has since released numerous successful albums and appeared in various television shows and films.
In the realm of literature, one notable figure named Zico was Zico Sertanista, a Brazilian explorer and writer who lived in the 18th century. He is best known for his accounts of his travels through the interior of Brazil, which provided valuable insights into the geography, flora, and fauna of the region.
Another historical figure named Zico was Zico Asnis, a Brazilian artist and sculptor who lived in the 20th century. He was renowned for his modernist sculptures, which often explored themes of human emotion and the human form. His works can be found in various museums and public spaces throughout Brazil.
Finally, Zico Mendes was a Brazilian politician and lawyer who served as the governor of the state of Pará from 1971 to 1975. He played a significant role in the development of infrastructure and social programs in the region during his tenure as governor.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Zico over time
The chart below shows babies named Zico registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 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 Zico, the clearest high point is 2000. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zico by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zico 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 | #4109 | 16 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3252 | 56 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2817 | 42 | 8 |
| 1990s | #2337 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Zico
- 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
Zico: questions and answers
How popular is the name Zico in the UK right now?
In 2024, Zico was ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Zico most popular?
The peak year on record was 2000, with 8 babies registered as Zico in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Zico?
A Portuguese masculine given name likely originating as a nickname.
How many people are called Zico in the UK?
A total of 118 babies have been registered as Zico across the 23 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.