Zenobia
Zenobia is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Life of Zeus.
Origin and history
Zenobia is a name of Ancient Greek origin meaning 'life of Zeus'. It was famously borne by the 3rd-century Queen of the Palmyrene Empire who challenged Roman rule. In the United States, it remains a rare, vintage choice with rich historical roots.
Popularity in the United States
4,592 babies in the United States have been named Zenobia since 1880. It ranks #2580 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1899.
States where it is most popular
- NY (25.4 %)
- LA (12.3 %)
- AR (10.7 %)
- TX (9.2 %)
- CA (8.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 43 |
| 1890-1900 | 93 |
| 1900-1910 | 159 |
| 1910-1920 | 401 |
| 1920-1930 | 497 |
| 1930-1940 | 342 |
| 1940-1950 | 351 |
| 1950-1960 | 426 |
| 1960-1970 | 371 |
| 1970-1980 | 368 |
| 1980-1990 | 335 |
| 1990-2000 | 335 |
| 2000-2010 | 277 |
| 2010-2019 | 392 |
| 2020-2029 | 202 |
Famous people named Zenobia
- Zenobia Shroff: Actress, Comedian
- Zenobia Camprubí: Writer, Translator
Nicknames
Zee, Nobi, Zena
Fun facts
- Queen Zenobia of Palmyra expanded her empire across the Near East and briefly conquered Egypt in the 3rd century.
- The name appears in classic literature, including Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Blithedale Romance.