Ziva
Fact sheet
- Name
- Ziva
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
Ziva is a feminine first name that is considered the feminine form of the name Ziv. In the spelling iva, it also appears as an independent Slovenian girls' name. In Slavic mythology, this name represents a goddess associated with themes of life, fertility, and spring.
What does the name Ziva mean?
The name Ziva is considered the feminine counterpart to Ziv. It can appear both in the form iva and as an independent Slovenian name. In Slavic mythology, it symbolizes a goddess associated with life, fertility, and spring. From ancient Hebrew, it means "the Radiant" or "the Bright," derived from the word zív (זִיו), which means "bright" and "radiant." In the modern Hebrew context, Ziva stands for "the Glorious" or "the Shining," derived from the element ziv, which means "shine" and "glory." In Bosnian and Slovenian, Ziva means "the Lively," "the Living," or "the Vivacious," derived from the Old Slavic word zhivŭ (живъ) or ivŭ, which means "alive," "living," "lively," and "active." Colloquially, the name is sometimes interpreted as "Shining Star in a Cloudy Sky." Variants include Zivah, Zivana, Zivka, Zivanka, and Zhivka. The masculine forms are Zivadin, Zivan, Zivorad, Zivko, and Zivojin.
Where does the name Ziva come from?
The name Ziva has its roots in ancient Hebrew and Old Slavic and carries meanings such as "the Glorious" or "the Radiant." The ancient Hebrew etymology zív stands for "bright" and "radiant," while the modern Hebrew ziv means "shine" and "glory." The Old Slavic zhivŭ or ivŭ means "alive," "living," "lively," and "active." The languages in which the name occurs are Hebrew, Slavic, and Slovenian.
How do you pronounce Ziva?
The pronunciation of Ziva is clear and two-syllable. It is pronounced as "Zi-va" [ˈtsiːva] or [ˈziːva], with the name starting with a distinct sibilant sound. The long i sound gives it a bright tone, and the open ending "-a" provides a gentle finish. Ziva thus appears modern and lively – bright, striking, and harmonious.
When is the name day of Ziva?
The name day for Ziva is celebrated on January 26.
Popularity
In Germany, Ziva is among the sought-after girls' names. Currently, it ranks 2,358th on the list of most common first names. Its best ranking was in 2015, reaching 530th place. Over the last ten years, Ziva has been given as a first name about 380 times, placing it 1,042nd in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 1,045th.
Nicknames & pet names
Iva / Ivi / Viv / Zee / Zi / Ziv / Zivaaa / Zivachien / Zivah / Ziver / Zivi / Zizi
Famous people
- Ziva David (is the character played by Cote de Pablo in the TV series NCIS.)
- Ziva Kraus (painter from Croatia)
- Ziva Shapir (Israeli actress)
- Ziva Vadnov (Slovenian model)
Frequently asked questions about the name Ziva
What is the origin of the name Ziva?
The name Ziva has its roots in ancient Hebrew and Old Slavic and is found in various languages such as Hebrew, Slavic, and Slovenian.
What does the name Ziva mean?
Ziva is often translated as 'the Radiant' or 'the Glorious.' In Slavic mythology, it symbolizes a goddess of life and fertility.
How popular is the name Ziva?
Ziva is gaining popularity, especially in Slavic-speaking countries and among modern parents looking for unique and meaningful names.