Zane
Zane: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /zeɪn/
Meaning and origin of Zane
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
The usage seems to date from the American writer Zane Grey (1875-1939), born Pearl Zane Gray. It was the surname of his mother's family, of unknown meaning. * Sometimes explained as a form of John because of the resemblance to Shane, or because Italian surnames such as Zanelli and Zanetto derive from the equivalent name Giovanni. * In some cases, a respelling of Zayn, which is of Arabic origin.
How popular is Zane?
Since 1880, 564 girls and 56,664 boys in the U.S. have been named Zane (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3135 in 1929. Its highest rank for boys was #199 in 2018. In 2025 it ranked #324 for boys, with 1,051 babies given the name.
Names similar to Zane
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname boy names
Sibling name ideas for Zane
Sister and brother names that share Zane's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Zane FAQ
What does the name Zane mean?
A male given name transferred from the surname. The usage seems to date from the American writer Zane Grey (1875-1939), born Pearl Zane Gray. It was the surname of his mother's family, of unknown meaning. * Sometimes explained as a form of John because of the resemblance to Shane, or because Italian surnames such as Zanelli and Zanetto derive from the equivalent name Giovanni. * In some cases, a respelling of Zayn, which is of Arabic origin.
What is the origin of the name Zane?
Zane is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Zane?
Since 1880, 564 girls and 56,664 boys in the U.S. have been named Zane (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3135 in 1929. Its highest rank for boys was #199 in 2018. In 2025 it ranked #324 for boys, with 1,051 babies given the name.
Is Zane a boy or girl name?
Zane is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 564 girls and 56,664 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.