Zadie means prosperity or princess — the Z-opening variant of Sadie, from the Hebrew Sarah. Zadie Smith is one of the most important novelists of the 21st century — White Teeth changed British literature. The Z-opening gives maximum visual electricity. Two syllables of Smith-level literary genius, Z-electric princess, and the novelist who changed British fiction.
Zadie is the Z-opening variant of Sadie from Sarah meaning princess. Zadie Smith is one of the most important novelists — White Teeth changed British literature.
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First recorded
Earliest known use: Z-variant; Zadie Smith (born 1975).
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Today
Zadie remains a beloved choice, ranking #1548 in the US. 3,530 babies have been named Zadie since 1881.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, SSA data
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How popular is Zadie?
2016peak year
Zadie has settled into a steady rhythm — neither rising sharply nor fading, holding a consistent place in U.S. birth records. It currently ranks well outside the top 1,000 (around #1548), with about 143 babies named Zadie each year. In 2016, 174 babies received the name (ranked #1362). Total registrations across all years since 1880: roughly 3,530.
Year-by-year registrations1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
Zadie's Life Path 1 is the leader's number — literary leadership. People named Zadie tend to be electric, brilliant, and gifted at changing entire national literatures.
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