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Sami vs Zakariya

Which is more popular?
Sami is more popular than Zakariya today: about 193 US babies were given the name Sami in 2025, compared with 0 named Zakariya.
SamiZakariya
Meaning elevated, sublime Arabic form of Zechariah
Origin arabic arabic
Gender Boy Boy
Pronunciation SAA-mee za-ka-REE-yaa
Syllables 2 4
First appeared19550
Peak year2025 (193)2025 (189)
In 20251930
TrendNear its peakRising
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Sami Zakariya
1960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeSamiZakariya
2020s 893 881
2010s 1,475 1,019
2000s 1,307 467
1990s 880 135
1980s 446 9
1970s 193 0
1960s 88 0
1950s 21 0

What does Sami mean?

From the root s-m-w (س-م-و, 'to be high, elevated'), meaning 'elevated, lofty, sublime, eminent'. Note the distinct name Sami' (سميع, 'all-hearing'), which comes from a different root (s-m-'); the two are easily confused in transliteration.

What does Zakariya mean?

The Arabic form of the prophet Zechariah (Zakariyya), the father of Yahya (John). Of Hebrew origin (Zekharyah, 'God has remembered'). The Arabic form carries no native root meaning. Also spelled Zakariyya, Zakaria.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sami or Zakariya more popular?

Sami is more popular than Zakariya today: about 193 US babies were given the name Sami in 2025, compared with 0 named Zakariya.

What is the difference between Sami and Zakariya?

Sami means elevated, sublime (arabic origin), while Zakariya means Arabic form of Zechariah (arabic origin).

Which name is older, Sami or Zakariya?

In US records, Sami first appears in 1955 and Zakariya in 0, so Zakariya has the longer recorded history.