Zeinab is a beautiful and meaningful name of Arabic origin, derived from the word 'zainab', which means 'beauty' or 'radiance'. It is often used to denote elegance, grace, and attractiveness.
The name Zeinab has a significant historical background as well. In Islamic history, it is associated with Lady Zaynab bint Ali (also known as Zaynab al-Kubra), the daughter of the fourth caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib and his wife Fatima Zahra, who was Prophet Muhammad's daughter. Lady Zaynab played a crucial role in Islamic history due to her courage, intelligence, and resilience during challenging times.
In many cultures, particularly among Muslims, the name Zeinab is chosen for girls with the hope that they will grow up to embody the virtues of their namesake. It also signifies a desire for the child to be as beautiful both inside and out, just like the meaning of her name suggests.
Today, Zeinab remains a popular choice among parents in various cultures who wish to give their daughters a unique, meaningful, and attractive name with deep historical roots.
The name Zeinab has seen a varied trend in popularity over the past four decades in the United States, with a total of 1,240 babies named Zeinab born between 1982 and 2023.
In the early 1980s, the name saw a steady increase in usage, starting from 9 births in 1982 to a peak of 15 births in 1988. However, it is important to note that these numbers were quite low compared to more popular names during this period.
The late 1980s and early 1990s marked a significant rise in the popularity of the name Zeinab, with a notable spike in births reaching as high as 55 in 1999. This trend continued into the early 2000s, with consistent numbers ranging from 40 to 50 births per year between 2000 and 2003.
However, after 2003, there was a decline in the popularity of the name Zeinab. Between 2004 and 2019, the number of births with this name hovered around the mid to low thirties annually, indicating a steady but not overwhelming presence.
More recently, between 2020 and 2023, the popularity of the name Zeinab has shown some signs of resurgence. After dropping to a low of 21 births in 2019, the number of babies named Zeinab has increased, reaching 28 births in 2022 and 22 births in 2023.
Despite fluctuations in popularity over the years, the name Zeinab remains a unique and distinctive choice for parents seeking a less common name for their daughters. The overall trend suggests that while it may not be among the most popular names, it has maintained a steady presence in the United States over the past four decades.