African Names that Start With Z

  1. Zola
    • Origin:

      African, Congolese; also literary name
    • Meaning:

      "piece of earth"
    • Description:

      When the Eddie Murphys named their fourth daughter Zola, it affirmed the up-and-coming status of the name, which has African roots, but also literary links to Emile Zola. Zola may also be recognizable to some as the adopted daughter of Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd on the hit, long-running show Grey's Anatomy.
  2. Zora
    • Origin:

      Serbo-Croatian
    • Meaning:

      "dawn"
    • Description:

      Zora is a meaningful literary heroine name honoring Zora Neale Hurston, an important black writer and leader of the Harlem Renaissance.
  3. Zuri
    • Origin:

      Kiswahili
    • Meaning:

      "good, beautiful"
    • Description:

      Zuri migrated, at least to American sensibilities, to the feminine side when an Ohio zoo used it for a female giraffe. For either gender, Zuri is an attractive name with the usual Z-initial zest.
  4. Zella
    • Origin:

      African, Bobangi, Libyan place name, diminutive of Rosella, Marcella, Gizella, or Isabella
    • Meaning:

      "lacking nothing, one who knows the way"
    • Description:

      Sunny, sassy, and stylish, Zella is a multicultural and versatile choice which works across multiple languages. Popular back in the early 19th century, Zella is now catching the attention of cotemporary parent as a rival to Ella, Stella, and Della.
  5. Zendaya
    • Origin:

      Shona
    • Meaning:

      "to give thanks"
    • Description:

      Zendaya has propelled her unusual African name into the spotlight and up the popularity charts. Zendaya is one of the major baby name influencers of our era.
  6. Zaire
    • Origin:

      Place name, Congo
    • Meaning:

      "the river that swallows all rivers"
    • Description:

      Zaire was a Central African state from 1971 to 1997 that has recently risen up the charts as a boys name. Deriving from a Congo term meaning "the river that swallows all rivers", it makes a bold and wearable choice for a son.
  7. Zuri
    • Origin:

      Kiswahili
    • Meaning:

      "good, beautiful"
    • Description:

      Singular, strong, and rare outside East Africa.
  8. Zala
    • Origin:

      Ethiopian or Slovene variation of Rozalija
    • Meaning:

      "a people from southwest Ethiopia; rose"
    • Description:

      Simple but sultry.
  9. Zina
    • Origin:

      Russian, Hungarian, Arabic, African, Nsenga
    • Meaning:

      "related to Zeus; rose; adornment, ornament; spirt name"
    • Description:

      A truly international name with an arty feel, Zina has many origins. It is used as a short form of Zinaida, Rozina, and Zenobia in Russia, Hungary, and Poland and as an alternative form of Xena, Xenia, and Zena in various European countries. It is also an Arabic name meaning "adornment", an Nsenga name referring to a child's spirit name, a Galician form of Gina, and an Amharic name that could mean "felicity, happiness".
  10. Zenebe
    • Origin:

      Amharic
    • Meaning:

      "raining"
    • Description:

      Zenebe is an appealing name well-used in Ethiopia but rarely heard outside its native land. But it translates easily into English and Zen makes for a cool and attractive nickname. A winning choice for those looking for an African boys' names that bridges cultures.
  11. Zeila
    • Origin:

      African place-name
    • Description:

      Zeila, the name of a port town in Somalia, has cultural resonance and an appealing sound.
  12. Zizi
    • Origin:

      African, Kiswahili
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Despite its varied cultural ties, Zizi still sounds like a cancan dancer or a fluffy lapdog.
  13. Zela
    • Origin:

      African variation of Zoe
    • Description:

      See ZELLA.
  14. Zaire
    • Origin:

      Place-name
    • Description:

      While this African place-name is much more popular for boys, nearly 40 girls were named Zaire last year. Among African baby names, this is one of the best-known in the US.
  15. Zagora
    • Origin:

      North African place-name; also Swahili
    • Description:

      If you're looking for an African place-name, this one belongs to the main town in eastern Morocco.
  16. Zuwena
    • Origin:

      African
    • Meaning:

      "good"
    • Description:

      More original than any made-up name.