Zoey in Chinese
Zoey in Chinese is 佐伊 (Zuǒ Yī).
- Origin
- Greek
- Meaning
- life
The name traces back to Greek sources, where it is usually explained as "life". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1967 and peaked in 2012. Spellings pronounced the same way include Zoe, which share the transliteration 佐伊.
3 ways to write Zoey
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
佐伊
Zuǒ Yī
The standard transliteration of Zoey: 佐 (zuǒ, "to assist, aide"), 伊 (yī, "phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Mandarin has no consonant clusters, so the 1-syllable English name is spread over 2 characters: 佐 zuǒ + 伊 yī. The tone contour is 3-1 (dipping, high level).
Character breakdown
13 strokes total (simplified)- 佐
zuǒ
Tone 3 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to assist, aide
- 伊
yī
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
青妍
Qīng Yán
Inspired by "life": 青 (qīng, "green, blue; youthful") + 妍 (yán, "beautiful, lovely"), expressing youth and new life.
Why these characters?
The idea of "life" behind Zoey is rendered by 青, "green, blue; youthful"; 妍, "beautiful, lovely", completes it.
Character breakdown
15 strokes total (simplified)- 青
qīng
Tone 1 · 8 strokes (simplified)
green, blue; youthful
- 妍
yán
Tone 2 · 7 strokes (simplified)
beautiful, lovely
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
春萌
Chūn Méng
春 (chūn, "spring") + 萌 (méng, "to sprout; cute"): a natural Chinese given name themed on youth and new life.
Why these characters?
No attractive character closely matches "zoey" (zuǒ), so 春 ("spring") and 萌 ("to sprout; cute") were chosen for youth and new life.
Character breakdown
21 strokes total (simplified)- 春
chūn
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
spring
- 萌
méng
Tone 2 · 12 strokes (simplified)
to sprout; cute
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Zoey
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Zoey ranked 48 among names recorded for girls, with 26,222 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 77,223 girls named Zoey since 1967, with the high point in 2012 (7,466 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #3296 to #29 among girls.
- Peak year
- 2012
- Peak decade
- 2010s
- First year
- 1967
- Total since 1880
- 77,223
More About Zoey in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Zoey 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 Zoey, you'll find options that work for you.
Zoey is also spelled Zoe — both names use the same Chinese transliteration.
Names with the same root meaning include Eva in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Zoe in Chinese, Eva in Chinese, and Angelina in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Bethany in Chinese, Jade in Chinese, Adriana in Chinese, Kathleen in Chinese, and Nevaeh in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Zoey, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Zoey 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 is Zoey translated into Chinese?
佐伊 (Zuǒ Yī), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Does Zoey change in traditional Chinese?
No. 佐伊 uses only characters that are the same in both scripts, so one design works everywhere.
How popular is the name Zoey?
US Social Security records show 77,223 girls named Zoey since 1967, with the high point in 2012 (7,466 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #3296 to #29 among girls.