UK girl's name
Zuzu
A diminutive of the name Susan, of unknown origin.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Zuzu is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Zuzu popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5765, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 4 births.
This profile covers 10 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2003 to 2017. 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 10 living people in the UK are called Zuzu. 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 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Zuzu ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 4 girls were registered as Zuzu.
- • About 10 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zuzu as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5765
2017
Births in 2017
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
4 births
Estimated living
10
2026
Meaning
What does Zuzu mean?
The name Zuzu has its origins in ancient Sumerian culture, dating back to around 3500 BCE. It is believed to be derived from the Sumerian word "zu," which means "to know" or "knowledge." The name was initially associated with wisdom and learning in ancient Mesopotamian societies.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zuzu can be found in cuneiform inscriptions from the city of Uruk, one of the oldest cities in Mesopotamia. These inscriptions mention a high priestess named Zuzu, who was revered for her knowledge of religious rites and rituals.
The name Zuzu also appears in the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest known literary works from ancient Mesopotamia. In the epic, Zuzu is mentioned as a wise and powerful goddess who guides the hero Gilgamesh on his journey of self-discovery.
During the reign of the Akkadian Empire in the 24th century BCE, a prominent scribe named Zuzu was known for his exceptional skills in cuneiform writing and record-keeping. His works have provided valuable insights into the administrative practices of the Akkadian civilization.
In ancient Egyptian mythology, the name Zuzu was associated with a minor goddess who was believed to protect children and infants. This goddess was often depicted in amulets and talismans worn by mothers to ensure the well-being of their offspring.
Fast-forwarding to the medieval period, a notable figure named Zuzu al-Isfahani (born around 850 CE) was a renowned scholar and poet from Isfahan, Persia. He was celebrated for his contributions to Arabic literature and his mastery of the Arabic language.
During the Renaissance era, a Italian painter named Zuzu Bellini (1436-1516) gained recognition for his pioneering work in the Venetian school of painting. His masterpieces, such as the "San Zaccaria Altarpiece," are celebrated for their innovative use of light and color.
In the 19th century, a Russian writer named Zuzu Nesterov (1835-1905) gained acclaim for her novels and short stories that explored themes of social injustice and the struggles of the working class.
Another notable figure was Zuzu Qian (1897-1976), a Chinese mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to the fields of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. His work laid the foundation for many modern theories in theoretical physics.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Zuzu over time
The chart below shows babies named Zuzu registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Zuzu, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zuzu by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zuzu 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 | #5765 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4328 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Zuzu
- 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
Zuzu: questions and answers
How popular is the name Zuzu in the UK right now?
In 2017, Zuzu was ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Zuzu most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 4 babies registered as Zuzu in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Zuzu?
A diminutive of the name Susan, of unknown origin.
How many people are called Zuzu in the UK?
A total of 10 babies have been registered as Zuzu across the 3 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.