Zadok comes from Hebrew and means righteous or just; it is borne by a high priest in the Bible.
Zadok is a Hebrew name of considerable antiquity, derived from 'tzaddik' — the root meaning righteous, just, or upright. In the Hebrew Bible, Zadok was a High Priest of great consequence: he served under King David, remained loyal during Absalom's rebellion, and anointed Solomon as king. His priestly lineage, the Zadokites, became the legitimate hereditary priesthood of the Jerusalem Temple, and the Dead Sea Scrolls' 'Sons of Zadok' passage suggests his name remained a touchstone of priestly authority well into the Second Temple period.
To be 'of Zadok' was to carry an unimpeachable claim to spiritual legitimacy. The name entered European consciousness most durably through George Frideric Handel's coronation anthem 'Zadok the Priest' (HWV 258), composed in 1727 for the coronation of King George II. With its spine-tingling choral entry after a sustained orchestral build — one of the most arresting moments in the choral repertoire — the anthem has been performed at every British coronation since, making 'Zadok' one of the most-heard names in English ceremonial history even as it remains extraordinarily rare as a given name.
Zadok is genuinely rare in contemporary usage, which gives it the particular appeal of a name that is historically documented and phonetically straightforward yet virtually unoccupied by modern bearers. It sounds strong and ancient — two hard consonants framing a clean vowel — and carries the uncommon combination of deep biblical roots and near-total distinctiveness. Parents drawn to names like Ezra, Silas, or Amos might find in Zadok a more daring choice with equally serious lineage.