Zenobia

At a Glance

Meaning

Life of Zeus (feminine form of Zenobios); origin possibly Aramaic

Origin

Greek (feminine of Zenobios); possibly a Hellenized rendering of a Palmyrene Aramaic name

Gender

Primarily used for girls

Pronunciation

zə-NOH-bee-əListen

Zenobia is a Greek name, the feminine form of Zenobios, and it is usually explained as meaning "life of Zeus." That explanation is the standard one, but some scholars suggest the name may instead be a Greek rendering of a Palmyrene Aramaic name, so its origin isn't quite as settled as the Greek gloss makes it sound.

Meaning & Origin of Zenobia

Meaning: Life of Zeus (feminine form of Zenobios); origin possibly Aramaic.

Origin: Greek (feminine of Zenobios); possibly a Hellenized rendering of a Palmyrene Aramaic name.

A common claim: Zenobia means 'life of Zeus' or 'power/strength of Zeus.' Actually: This Greek gloss is the standard explanation, but some scholars suggest the name may instead render an Aramaic name rather than being purely Greek in origin.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Zenobia

Popularity of Zenobia

Zenobia peaked in 1909, when it ranked #683 with 35 babies given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #4541, with 31 babies, so it's a rare pick today.

Names Like Zenobia

These names have followed a similar path to Zenobia in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Madaline
• Elma
• Leone
• Edris
• Macon
• Boy

FAQ

What does the name Zenobia mean?

Life of Zeus (feminine form of Zenobios); origin possibly Aramaic. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Zenobia?

Zenobia is pronounced zə-NOH-bee-ə (IPA: /zəˈnoʊbiə/).

Is Zenobia a popular name right now?

Zenobia peaked at #683 in 1909 and is ranked #4541 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1881–2024.)

Make Zenobia Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Zenobia, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.