Updated October 2026
Across 4 pages
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Hebrew
"gift of Jehovah"
Biblical names are expanding (literally) as some parents move from Isaiah and Elijah to more elaborate choices with simple short forms, like Jedidiah and Zebediah. Zebediah, or Zebadiah, is the New…
"gazelle, roebuck"
Zevi is an alternative transcription of the Hebrew name Zvi or Tzvi, the latter of which is a Top 100 pick in Israel. It's a cool, sharp-sounding name which would make for a great distinctive…
"brilliance"
Also a synonym for the Hebrew month of Iyar, which usuually falls in May, would work and play well with others like Zev and Lev.
"God has hidden"
This shortened form of Zephaniah makes an original Old Testament choice. It might plausibly make an honor name for Stephen or Stephan, and comes with the appealing short form Zeph.
"my music, my praise"
This unusual and spunky biblical name was one of the Kings of Israel as well as one of Judah's grandsons and has a wonderful meaning. We'd like to see Zimri being used more, and we think it has…
"deer"
An alternative transcription of Tzvi, the latter of which is a Top 100 pick in Israel. It's a cool, sharp-sounding micro name which would make for a great distinctive alternative to Levi.
Yiddish variation of Selig
"blessed, happy"
A super quirky and upbeat choice, if it can ever shake off its ubiquitous-guy Woody Allen identity.
Modern invented name
More neo than Neo, this is a name heard in the Power Rangers film title Power Rangers Zeo .
Is it a form of Zayden? Zyden? We're not quite sure. NFL player Odell Beckham Jr. chose this sleek, practically vowelless name for his son, born in 2022.
Diminutive of Zedekiah
Newer than Zac, cooler than Ed, Ned, or Ted.
English word name
"indeterminately large number"
Nick Cannon put this baby name on the map in 2021 when he welcomed a son by the name Zillion Heir (Zillionaire, get it?) — twin to Zion Mixolydian. Zillion is a new addition to the growing trend of…
Italian word name
"uncle"
Zio is a pet form for names ending with 'zio', such as Maurizio, Marzio and Tiburzio. As a full name in Italian, though it wouldl be like naming your son Uncle Uncle.
Hungarian
"sultan"
Though a common name in Hungary, with the spelling Zoltán, the relatively rare Z sound is striking to English speakers. Penn Gillette used the Zolten spelling for his son; it was also the name of…
Italian invented name
A clear reference to the Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli, known for his adaptations of Shakespearean plays such as The Taming of the Shrew , Romeo and Juliet , and Hamlet . Zeffirelli was…
Invented name
Zeldris is a demon character — also known as the Prince of Darkness — on the anime series Nanatsu no Taizai (or The Seven Deadly Sins ). His name debuted on the American charts in 2021, when it was…
Greek Mythology
"legendary figure; Greek island"
In Greek mythology, Zakynthos was a legendary figure who founded a colony on an island in the Ionian sea. The island, still known as Zakynthos today, is now a popular tourist destination thanks to…
"Shaddai is my rock, God is my rock"
A rare and ancient feeling Biblical name, Zurishaddai is rarely given as a first name, though its Spanish and Portuguese form, Zurisadai, has been used in Mexico, Venezuela, and the US. Blending the…
Updates the tired Derek or Eric.
Luganda
"older of twins"
Unusual and attractive name, might be worth considering if you're expecting twins.
Arabic
"beauty of the faith"
Zinedine Zidane is France's biggest soccer star, spawning a legion of little Zinedines in that country.