by Southern Charm

Created on: February 05, 2008

The name Zoe, derives from the Biblical scripture John 10:10 that reads "The thief cometh not, but to steal, kill and destroy; I am come that they may have life (zoe) and that they have it more abundantly. Zoe (ZO-ee) is of Greek origin which means life. Zoe describes the abundant life that one can have when they are in a relationship with Christ. Other variants of the name Zoe include: Zoee, Zoie, Zoey. Zoe is also sometimes written with an umlaut over the e' to emphasize the second syllable.

According to the Social Security Administration the name Zoe has increased from being ranked at 732 in 1987 to being ranked at number 54 in 2006. Zoe is also popular in both Greece and Australia.

Famous people with the name Zoe include American born british actress, Zoe Wanamaker, b. May 13, 1949, who made famous the role of Madam Hoochin in Harry Potter and the Philopher's Stone; Zoe McLellan, b November 6, 1974, actress who starred in the series Dirty Sexy Monkey; and Zoe Akins (1886-1958), playwright who won the Pulitzer Prize for the dramatization of Edith Whorton's story, The Old Maid. Zoe was also the name of 2 early saints that were both martyred- one under Emperor Hadrian and the other under Diocletian.

Other lesser known Zoe's are a ruling Byzentine empress, and indigenous tribe of the Amazon, and Cyclone Zoe was the most intense tropical cyclone observed in the southern hemisphere. Zoe was also the name of a female Retriver in the lineage of the introduction of the Golden Retriever.

In pop culture today Zoe is Elmo's female friend on Sesame Street and Nickelodeon's Zoey 101 is the popular television series starring Jamie Lynn Spears. Songs about Zoe include Flowers for Zoe by Lenny Kravitz and Zoe Jane by Staind.

Biblically, names shaped the path one chose in life. Too many times today, people go by popularity and what sounds good, instead of what the names actually mean. In April 2004, I delivered a baby girl, Zoe (life) Kara (joy) who had complications. With a possible lung collapse and needing to be on oxygen, life (zoe) was spoken over her when the nurses, doctors, and family spoke to her and called her by name. Her lungs were fine and she went home with us 2 days later. Today, she is almost 4 years old and very much full of life. Naming a child is no easy matter. Please take time to research of the name of your little bundle of joy.

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