by Debbie Ross

Created on: February 06, 2008

ZOE

GENDER: Feminine

PRONUNCIATION: ZOH-ee; ZOH

ETYMOLOGY: Zoe originates from the Greek language and means "life giving"

ORIGIN AND HISTORY: In the biblical context, Zoe is used to indicate eternal life. The Gnostic Gospels portray Zoe as the daughter of Sophia and she is known as Eve when she is sent by her mother to give life to Adam. Toward the end of the classical period (1750-1820) in Rome, the name Zoe was used primarily as a nickname.

POPULARITY: In the United States from 1900 to 2006, the only decades when the name Zoe was not used were the 40's, 60's, and 70's. The name started to gain popularity in the 1990's and based on the 2002 Social Security Ranking, Zoe was ranked the 61st most popular girl's name in the US.

INTERESTING FACTS: Zoe is the name of two early saints. Zoe of Rome, circa 286, was arrested for her faith. Zoe of Pamphylia, circa 127, refused to sacrifice meat to an idol. Empress Zoe of the Byzantine Empire, (978-1050), enjoyed making perfumes and ointments. The creams supposedly kept her face free of wrinkles until she was well into her 60's. Lenny Kravitz sang about Zoe in his song Flowers for Zoe and the children's TV show Zoey 101 premiered on January 9, 2005.

NAMESAKES:
The Neoregelia plant which produces wine colored leaves
Zoe Motors who manufacture three wheeled cars
Elmo's friend Zoe on the Muppet show Sesame Street
The doll "Zoe from the USA"
Cyclone Zoe, December 23, 2002-the most intense tropical cyclone observed in the southern hemisphere
Zoe, a character on the soap opera All My Children

FAMOUS PEOPLE:
Zoe Saldana born June 19, 1978 Actor and trained dancer
Zoe Wanamaker born May 13, 1949 American/English actress
Zoe Atkins born October 30, 1886 Poet, playwright, novelist, screenwriter
Zoe Gillings born June 14, 1985 Professional snowboard athlete
Zoe Wicomb born November 23, 1948 - Author
Zoe Kravitz born December 1, 1988 Daughter of singer Lenny Kravitz

VARIANTS:
Zoie, Zoelie, Zoeline, Zoelle, Zoey, Zoie, Zoya. Zoe can also be written with an umlaut over the "e" to emphasize the second syllable.

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