Fun Facts About the Name Zico
- 25 babies named Zico: U.S. records list 25 babies given the name Zico from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Zico Mean?
Zico has no established literal meaning; it is a nickname of Brazilian Portuguese origin rather than a name with a recorded ancient root. The ending -ico is a familiar Portuguese diminutive ending, the same one heard in affectionate forms such as Chico, from Francisco, or Tonico, from Antônio. In Zico's case, the word or personal name that the ending was added to is not recorded, so no reliable translation can be given. Any single meaning assigned to it would be a guess, not an etymology.
Zico Name History & Origins
Zico is the nickname by which the Brazilian footballer Arthur Antunes Coimbra (born 1953) has been known since childhood. He played as an attacking midfielder for Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro and for the Brazil national team from the 1970s into the 1980s, appearing in World Cup tournaments including 1982 and 1986, and the nickname became one of the most recognizable mononyms in Brazilian football and in the sport generally.
Familiar short names and nicknames are common in Brazil, and Zico belongs to that tradition rather than to the older stock of saint's names and inherited given names. Its spread beyond the footballer's own circle reflects the wider Brazilian habit of using football nicknames in public life. The name is also found among Portuguese speakers in other countries, including Portugal and Portuguese-speaking Africa, and it is occasionally given as a first name rather than used only as a nickname.
Zico should not be confused with names that merely look similar, such as Zeca (a familiar form of José) or the Greek surname Zikos. No documented link between those forms and Zico has been established.
How Popular is the Name Zico?
Zico has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2025. Its best rank was #10,682 in 2025.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #10,682 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2020 | #12,005 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2013 | #12,123 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2011 | #12,273 | 6 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Zico Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have aspiration and inspiration, hope and guidance. Since you are intuitive and perceptive and you understand human nature. You have the power to achieve. Diplomacy and discretion make you a good mediator. You are inspired, introspective, and have a good understanding of the human heart. You can have the ability to commercialize your artistic talents successfully. You are often a mystery to others and to yourself. You are always reaching for something higher, without exactly knowing what that "higher" is. You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.
Position and social status is very important for you and you are always looking for way to improve your position in society. You have power and ability to chose your own destiny and achieve anything you want in life. You can expand in any direction according to your will and the set of values. You have passion for justice and belong to the position of authority. You have an inherent courage and endurance to accomplish "The Impossible Dream". With the power comes responsibility. You hold keys to the material world, but with this gift comes high spiritual responsibility to be fair and true to others. You are philosophical and mature, determined and intense with a desire to endure, often religious.
✦ Zico's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Zico's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.