Zaire
2025 SSA
2025 SSA
About Zaire
Zaire was a Central African state from 1971 to 1997 that has recently risen up the charts as a boys name. Deriving from a Congo term meaning "the river that swallows all rivers", it makes a bold and wearable choice for a son.
Zaire for boys#503 US
It began to climb up the charts in the late 90s, after the dissolution of the state and the establishment of the Republic of Congo. Zaire has been in the US Top 1000 consistently since 2002, and as of 2023, it is in the Top 500, given to around 650 boys - and a small handful of girls - each year.
Notably borne by footballers Zaire Anderson and Zaire Barnes, Zaïre (or Zara) is also the name of a play by French playwright, Voltaire, while alternative forms, Zyair, Zyaire, and Jaire are also in use.
Zaire for girls#13156 US
While this African place-name is much more popular for boys, nearly 40 girls were named Zaire last year. Among African baby names, this is one of the best-known in the US.
Pronounced zah-EER.
As of October 2026, Zaire ranked #503 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #466 in 2023.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #905 | 238 | #3,921 | 39 |
| 2015 | #878 | 254 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #781 | 305 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | #747 | 317 | #4,381 | 33 |
| 2018 | #657 | 389 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | #561 | 498 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #528 | 542 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | #529 | 557 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | #496 | 615 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | #466 | 655 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | #472 | 651 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | #503 | 601 | — | 0 |
World rankings
Zaire for boys
Similar names
These 40 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Zaire.
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Zaire on lists
Famous Zaires
- Zaire Blessing Dwyane WadeBoy
son of Dwyane Wade
Zaire in pop culture
- Title heroine of Voltaire's tragic play 'Zaïre' (1732)Boy
about a Christian woman enslaved by Muslims