Zion
Meaning of Zion
Zion comes from Tsiyyon, the Hebrew name of a hill in Jerusalem. The word's original meaning is uncertain; 'fortress' and 'marker' are among the suggestions. It is pronounced ZY-ən, rhyming with lion.
In the Bible, Zion became a name for Jerusalem itself. Over time it also came to symbolize the Jewish homeland, heaven in Christian tradition and the promised land in Rastafari belief. Lauryn Hill's 1998 song 'To Zion' is about her son Zion. The best-known bearer today is basketball player Zion Williamson, the first pick in the 2019 NBA draft.
Zion was an uncommon boys' name in the U.S. until it jumped from 694th in 1998 to 274th in 1999. It peaked at 125th in 2023 and stood at 142nd in 2025.
Pronunciation
American English
- Pronunced as ZY-ən (/ˈzaɪən/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Zion
| Zion Williamson is an American power forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, a former Duke standout drafted first in 2019 who made the All Rookie Team in 2020 and became one of the youngest All Stars in 2021. |
| Zion Lights is a British author and activist recognized for environmental advocacy and science communication. |
| Zion Wright is an American skateboarder with a regular stance who joined the USA Skateboarding Team in 2019 and became a rising star of his generation. |
| Zion Tupuola-Fetui is an American professional football defensive lineman who played college linebacker for the Washington Huskies. |
| Zion Cohen is an Israeli soccer striker who most recently played for Maccabi Tel Aviv. |
