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Origin, Meaning, And History Of Zoe
Originally written as Eve in Hebrew, Zoe underwent several translations to become what it is today. The name Eve was changed to Zoe when the Bible was translated from Hebrew to Greek by the ancient Greeks. As God and Jesus are frequently mentioned in the Bible, the name “Zoe” can also represent “eternal life.” It was used as an early translation of Eve by Hellenized Jews.
The name Zoe first appeared in the third century when Jews living in Alexandria transformed Eve into its Greek equivalent, Zoe. It was wielded by two early Christian martyrs, one under the reign of Hadrian and the other under Diocletian. The name was popular in the Byzantine Empire and was given by an empress who ruled in the 11th century. Zoe has been a favorite among early Christians from the classical Roman era.
The name wasn’t widely known outside the Christian community until the middle of the nineteenth century. However, it is a popular name in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and other English-speaking nations, as well as other countries, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland, in recent times.
In mythology, Zoe was the daughter of King Midas, a ruler of Phrygia whose name came to be connected with several myths and two subsequent members of the Phrygian royal family. In Greek mythology, King Midas is well-known for turning everything he touched into gold. This phenomenon is often described as “The Midas touch” or the golden touch.
Zoe is a fictional character from the 2012 American horror film Chernobyl Diaries, co-written, produced, and directed by Brad Parker. The Back-up Plan is a 2010 American romantic comedy film in which Jennifer Lopez portrays the lead, Zoe, who is the primary character. It was directed by Alan Poul. The EastEnders soap opera included the fictional character Zoe Newton, who was first portrayed by Elizabeth Chadwick in 1993 and then by Tara Ellis in a spin-off episode and a few episodes later.
How To Pronounce Zoe?
Famous People With The Name Zoe
- Zoë Isabella KravitzAmerican actress, model, and singer, played Angel Salvadore in the film X-Men: First Class (2011) and got nominated for several awards
- Zoe BoyleEnglish actress known for her roles as Trinity Ashby on Sons of Anarchy and Lavinia Swire on the series Downton Abbey
- Zoe Margaret CollettiAmerican actress, played her first major role in the film Annie
- Zoe BlancFrench former competitive ice dancer, a French national medalist, placed 14th at the 2010 European Championships
- Zoe RosenbergAmerican animal rights activist and animal sanctuary founder, established the Happy Hen Animal Sanctuary in San Luis Obispo, California
Zoe On The Popularity Chart
Zoe has improved in terms of popularity and ranking between 1980 and 2020. The graphs below represent the same.
Popularity Over Time
Although the name was not quite popular during the 1980s, it rose significantly during the 1990s and 2000s. Check the graph for a clear representation.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
In 1980, Zoe was at rank 1267. However, since 2000, it has consistently been under the top 100 names on the charts. Read the graph to know more.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Zoe
If you liked the sound of the name Zoe, here is a list of names that sound similar. Choose the one that appeals to you the most.
Names With Similar Meaning As Zoe
Looking for a Biblical name with a similar meaning to Zoe? Here are some options you may consider.
Name Numerology For Zoe
