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At a Glance
- Meaning
- River that swallows other rivers (referring to the Congo River)
- Origin
- Kikongo (Kongo language, place name)
- Gender
- Neutral
- Pronunciation
- zy-EER
Zaire is pronounced zy-EER, and it works as a name for a son or a daughter. It comes from Kikongo, where it began as a place name for the Congo River, meaning "river that swallows other rivers." It has a classic, outdoorsy feel, at home among names that lean toward nature and wide-open spaces.
Meaning & Origin of Zaire
Meaning: River that swallows other rivers (referring to the Congo River).
Origin: Kikongo (Kongo language, place name).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Zaire
zy-EERIPA /zaɪˈɪr/
Popularity of Zaire
In 2024, 651 babies were named Zaire, putting it at #472 nationally — just a step down from its recent high of #466 in 2023, when 655 babies got the name.
Names Like Zaire
These names share Zaire’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Zaire mean?
River that swallows other rivers (referring to the Congo River). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Zaire?
Zaire is pronounced zy-EER (IPA: /zaɪˈɪr/).
Is Zaire a popular name right now?
Zaire is near its all-time peak (#466 in 2023), ranked #472 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1974–2024.)
Make Zaire Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Zaire, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Zaire? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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