Zadie

When aspiring British writer Sadie Smith decided to change her name to the more distinctive and zippy Zadie at the age of fourteen, this attention-magnet name was born. But though it might sound like a modern initial-switch, Zadie was actually Number 539 in 1881, remaining in the Top 1000 for almost thirty years.

Currently given to around 115 girls in the US each year, across the pond in England and Wales, Zadie is making moves up the charts. A mash up of two popular choices, Zara and Sadie, which a hint of Jodie and Zoe thrown in, Zadie makes a distinctive but very wearable choice.

Pronounced ZAY-dee.

As of October 2026, Zadie ranked #2193 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #538 in 1881.