The name Zeta is of Greek origin and means "zephyr" or "west wind". In Greek mythology, the Zephyrs were gods of the west wind. The name was also used in astronomy to denote the sixth letter of the Greek alphabet.
Zeta has been used as a given name since the early 20th century, but it remains relatively uncommon. It is more commonly used as a middle name or a nickname. Some notable individuals with the name Zeta include American singer and actress Zeta Jones (born in 1970) and Canadian musician Zeta Barjacova (born in 1965).
The name Zeta has been a unique choice for parents over the years, with a varying number of births annually in the United States from 1888 to 2023. The statistics show that there were periods where Zeta was quite popular, and other times when it was scarcely used as a baby name.
From 1888 to 1945, the number of babies named Zeta ranged from a low of 5 births in several years (including 1888, 1893, and 1966) to a high of 20 births in 1939. The most popular decades during this time frame were the 1910s and 1920s, with an average of about 17 births per year.
There was a significant decline in the popularity of the name Zeta from 1946 to 1974, with fewer than 10 births annually each year. However, there was a resurgence in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with peaks of 29 births in 2001 and 33 births in 2005.
Since 2006, the number of babies named Zeta has fluctuated between 8 and 24 births per year. The most recent data shows that there were 8 births in 2023.
In total, from 1888 to 2023, there have been 1,327 babies named Zeta born in the United States. While it has not been one of the top choices for parents over the years, it remains a distinctive and memorable name with a fascinating history.