Zaire

zah-EER

Place name, Congo

"the river that swallows all rivers"

Zaire Origin and Meaning

The name Zaire is a boy's name of African origin meaning "the river that swallows all rivers".

Zaire was a Central African state from 1971 to 1997 that has recently risen up the charts as a boys name. Deriving from a Congo term meaning "the river that swallows all rivers", it makes a bold and wearable choice for a son.

It began to climb up the charts in the late 90s, after the dissolution of the state and the establishment of the Republic of Congo. Zaire has been in the US Top 1000 consistently since 2002, and as of 2023, it is in the Top 500, given to around 650 boys - and a small handful of girls - each year.

Notably borne by footballers Zaire Anderson and Zaire Barnes, Zaïre (or Zara) is also the name of a play by French playwright, Voltaire, while alternative forms, Zyair, Zyaire, and Jaire are also in use.

Zaire Rank in US Top 1000

# 465 in the US

Zaire Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 1323 on Nameberry

Popularity of the name Zaire

• 465 US 2023
• 1323 Nameberry 2025
• 681 Future 2028

20 Names Similar to Zaire

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Zaire.

• Kaleo
• Arian
• Tyrus
• Josias
• Aiko
• Kenai
• Amiri
• Zidan
• Nazir
• Dakari
• Lian
• Kaito
• Rei
• Isai
• Shai
• Azaiah
• Ryu
• Kainoa
• Zenon
• Xavian

Famous People Named Zaire

• Zaire Blessing Dwyane Wade son of Dwyane Wade

The name Zaire in Pop Culture

• Title heroine of Voltaire's tragic play 'Zaïre' (1732) about a Christian woman enslaved by Muslims