Zamyra
A distinctive feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly Persian.
Name Census estimates that about 294 living Americans carry the first name Zamyra. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Zamyra today is around 12 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Zamyra births was 2017 (21 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Zamyra. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
294
~ 1 in 1,165,831 Americans
Peak year
2017
21 babies that year
Average age
12
years old
2024 SSA rank
#7,554
Tracked since 2003
Popularity
Zamyra: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Zamyra from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 169 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Zamyra remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zamyra by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Zamyra during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Zamyras live
Origin
Meaning and history of Zamyra
The name Zamyra has its roots in the ancient Persian language, tracing back to the Achaemenid Empire that ruled over vast territories of the ancient world between 550-330 BCE. It is believed to have originated from the Persian word "zam," meaning "earth" or "land," and "yara," which can be translated as "friend" or "beloved."
This name holds a deep connection with the rich cultural heritage of Persia, now known as Iran. Its earliest known use can be traced back to ancient Persian texts and inscriptions, where it was often bestowed upon individuals with a strong affinity for nature or those who were cherished within their communities.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zamyra appears in the Achaemenid inscriptions at Persepolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire during the reign of Darius the Great (522-486 BCE). These inscriptions were carved into the walls of the magnificent palace complex, preserving the name for posterity.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Zamyra. One such individual was Zamyra of Palmyra (fl. 272 CE), a influential woman who held a position of power and influence in the ancient city of Palmyra, located in present-day Syria. She played a significant role in the city's governance during a time of turmoil and transition.
Another notable Zamyra was a Persian princess who lived during the Sasanian Empire in the 6th century CE. She was renowned for her beauty, intelligence, and her patronage of the arts and literature, which flourished under her support.
In the realm of literature, the name Zamyra appeared in the epic poem "Shah-Nameh" (The Book of Kings) by the celebrated Persian poet Ferdowsi (940-1020 CE). This monumental work, which chronicles the history of Persian kings and heroes, immortalized the name Zamyra within its verses.
During the medieval period, a prominent figure bearing the name Zamyra was a Persian scholar and philosopher who lived in the 11th century CE. Her contributions to the fields of science, mathematics, and astronomy were highly regarded, and her writings influenced subsequent generations of scholars.
As the name Zamyra traveled through time and across different cultures, it gained new interpretations and variations. In some regions, it was associated with concepts of beauty, grace, and elegance, while in others, it symbolized strength, resilience, and a deep connection with the earth.
People
Zamyra + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Zamyra as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with Z
Other first names starting with Z with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Zamyra: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Zamyra?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 294 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Zamyra going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,165,831 US residents.
Is Zamyra a common name?
We classify Zamyra as "Very Rare". It ranks above 79% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 296 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Zamyra most popular?
The single biggest year for Zamyra was 2017, when 21 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Zamyra is about 12 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Zamyra in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Zamyra a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Zamyra in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Zamyra still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Zamyra in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Zamyra can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have Zamyra as a first name?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.