Zachary in Chinese
Zachary in Chinese is 扎卡里 (Zā Kǎ Lǐ).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- God remembers
The name traces back to Hebrew sources, where it is usually explained as "God remembers". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1900 and peaked in 1993.
3 ways to write Zachary
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
扎卡里
Zā Kǎ Lǐ
The standard transliteration of Zachary: 扎 (zā, "to tie (phonetic 'za')"), 卡 (kǎ, "card (phonetic 'ca/ka')"), 里 (lǐ, "village; mile (phonetic 'ri/li')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
The mapping is one character per syllable: 扎 (zā) carries "za", 卡 (kǎ) carries "cha", 里 (lǐ) carries "ry". The tone contour is 1-3-3 (high level, dipping, dipping).
Character breakdown
16 strokes total (simplified)- 扎
zā
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
to tie (phonetic 'za')
- 卡
kǎ
Tone 3 · 5 strokes (simplified)
card (phonetic 'ca/ka')
- 里
lǐ
Tone 3 · 7 strokes (simplified)
village; mile (phonetic 'ri/li')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
佑安
Yòu Ān
Inspired by "God remembers": 佑 (yòu, "blessing, protection") + 安 (ān, "peace, safety"), expressing blessing and divine protection.
Why these characters?
The idea of "God" behind Zachary is rendered by 佑, "blessing, protection"; 安, "peace, safety", completes it.
Character breakdown
13 strokes total (simplified)- 佑
yòu
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
blessing, protection
- 安
ān
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
peace, safety
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
承恩
Chéng Ēn
承 (chéng, "to inherit, carry on") + 恩 (ēn, "grace, kindness"): a natural Chinese given name themed on blessing and divine protection.
Why these characters?
No attractive character closely matches "za" (zā), so 承 ("to inherit, carry on") and 恩 ("grace, kindness") were chosen for blessing and divine protection.
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 承
chéng
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
to inherit, carry on
- 恩
ēn
Tone 1 · 10 strokes (simplified)
grace, kindness
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Zachary
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Zachary ranked 168 among names recorded for boys, with 13,208 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 531,709 boys named Zachary since 1900, with the high point in 1993 (25,535 births) and the busiest decade being the 1990s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #22 to #103 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1993
- Peak decade
- 1990s
- First year
- 1900
- Total since 1880
- 531,709
More About Zachary in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Zachary offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Zachary, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Tyler in Chinese, Alexander in Chinese, and Benjamin in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Jason in Chinese, Kevin in Chinese, and Thomas in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Zachary, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Zachary to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Zachary in Chinese?
扎卡里 (Zā Kǎ Lǐ), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 扎卡里 have?
16 strokes in simplified form; per character: 扎 4, 卡 5, 里 7.
Does Zachary change in traditional Chinese?
No. 扎卡里 uses only characters that are the same in both scripts, so one design works everywhere.