Usage: English, Italian, Spanish, German, Czech, Ancient Greek [1]
Other Scripts:Ζώη, Ζωή(Ancient Greek)
Pronounced:ZO-ee(English)DZAW-eh(Italian)THO-eh(European Spanish)SO-eh(Latin American Spanish)
Means "life" in Greek. From early times it was adopted by Hellenized Jews as a translation of Eve. It was borne by two early Christian saints, one martyred under Emperor Hadrian, the other martyred under Diocletian. The name was common in the Byzantine Empire, being borne by a ruling empress of the 11th century.
As an English name, Zoe (sometimes with a diaeresis as Zoë) has only been in use since the 19th century. It has generally been more common among Eastern Christians (in various spellings).
Olive
Gender:Feminine
Usage: English, French
Pronounced:AHL-iv(English)AW-LEEV(French)
From the English and French word for the type of tree, ultimately derived from Latin oliva.
Means "rainbow" in Greek. Iris was the name of the Greek goddess of the rainbow, also serving as a messenger to the gods. This name can also be given in reference to the word (which derives from the same Greek source) for the iris flower or the coloured part of the eye.