Cool Baby Names That Start with Z

A rarely heard biblical name, Zadok is borne by no less than nine Old Testament men. The most famous was a priest who lived during the reign of King David, whom he helped and supported, and was rewarded by allowing his descendants to be the only God-appointed legitimate heirs to the priesthood. "Zadok the Priest" is one of four anthems composed by George Frideric Handel for the coronation of George II and has been song at every British coronation since.

A feminine multicultural nickname name perfectly able to stand on its own.

Newswoman Paula brought the surname Zahn to the public eye. It makes a dramatic, unusual Zane alternative -- though you may not want to enlighten your child as to its prosaic meaning.

Zabelle and Zabel are fresh (to us) and ancient forms of Isabel, making zippy variations for modern lovers of that ancient name who feel the original is overexposed.

A New Testament tax collector was called Zaccheus, the freshest spin on this biblical favorite.

A Czech surname derived from the word for "green", which has a certain spark.

Parents with a penchant for inventing names seem especially enamored of the letter Z, maybe for its counterculture feel and its extra zip.

For lovers of Pasternak's great doctor, a lively middle name choice, one made by actress Nia Long.

This intriguing name from Armenia has a lovely meaning "rainbow" and was used for the adorable protagonist of the film by the same name who hides in a suitcase and ends up going on an adventure to Turkey.

Readers who remember J. D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey have probably forgotten that the character was male (nee Zachary). Nowadays the somewhat loopy spin on Zoe is associated with actress Zooey Deschanel.

A super quirky and upbeat choice, if it can ever shake off its ubiquitous-guy Woody Allen identity.

More familiar now via its Salman form, thanks to author Rushdie; this is an unusual biblical alternative.

If there are too many Jareds in your neighborhood, you might want to consider this Hebrew alternative.

Heard in Spain more as a last name, but would work here as an alluring first.

This contemporary creation plays on a couple of trends by applying the attractive Z to the rhyming family of names including Hailey, Bailey, and Kayley. The -ee suffix is the icing on the cake. It first entered the US Top 1000 in 2015.

A strong name with a strong meaning, like its cousin Zafir.

Zee-ifying Bailey.

Sometimes cited as an Anglicized form of the Spanish name Rosalia/Rosaelia, Zaelia may also derive from other similar-sounding names, like Azalea, Zelia or Zélie. With high-value Scrabble letters and the "ay" sound bang on-trend, it's surprising that this striking name remains so rare.