Zaharias

Zaharias is a surname of Greek origin. It is a transliteration variant of the Greek given name Zacharias (Ζαχαρίας), which in turn derives from the Hebrew name Zekharyah meaning “Yahweh has remembered.” In English-language contexts, the name is most widely encountered through the family of Babe Didrikson Zaharias.

Notable bearers include Mildred Ella “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias (1911–1956), an American athlete who achieved prominence in track and field, basketball, and golf. Didrikson Zaharias won two Olympic gold medals in 1932 and later became a leading figure in women’s golf. She married Greek-American wrestler and promoter George Zaharias in 1938 and sometimes appeared publicly as Babe Didrikson Zaharias, helping to popularize the surname.

George Zaharias (1904–1986) was a Greek-born American professional wrestler, manager, and promoter who supported Babe Didrikson Zaharias’s career. Through their marriage, the surname Zaharias gained greater visibility in American sports and entertainment, even as it remained relatively uncommon as a standalone surname.

Today, Zaharias is primarily recognized in connection with the Didrikson Zaharias family. The name can be found in historical references to early 20th-century American athletics and is among the Greek-origin surnames that entered the United States through immigration and intermarriage. See also Zacharias for related given-name origins.