Zakaria

Zakaria is a male given name of Arabic origin, often transliterated as Zakariya, Zakariyā, Zakaria, or Zekeriya. It is the Arabic form of the Hebrew name Zechariah, meaning “God has remembered” or “Yahweh has remembered.” The name is used as a given name and, less commonly, as a surname.

In Islam and in broader Arab and Muslim cultures, Zakariya is associated with the prophet Zakariya, father of Yahya (John the Baptist) in the Qur’an. He is depicted as praying for an heir and being granted a son in old age, a story that underscores themes of faith and divine timing.

Spelling and pronunciation vary by language: Zakariya or Zakariyā in Arabic and Urdu; Zekeriya in Turkish; Zakaria in Indonesian and Swahili; and other regional variants exist.

Usage of the name is widespread across the Arab world, South Asia, East Africa, and among Muslim communities in Europe and North America. Its longevity and religious associations help sustain its popularity in diverse communities, often reflecting cultural ties to Arabic-language and Islamic heritage.

Notable individuals with the name include Fareed Zakaria (born 1964), an American journalist, author, and television host. The name also appears in various forms in different countries, illustrating its cross-cultural adoption as both a given name and a surname.