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Cool Baby Names That Start with Z

  1. Zeno

    • Origin:

      Anglicized form of Greek Zenon, related to Zeus, king of the gods

    • Description:

      Zeno, the name of two ancient philosophers, has a muscular dynamism that's lightened by its cheerful final vowel, resulting in a kind of offbeat sci-fi feel. Zeno of Citium was the founder of the Stoic school of thought, Zeno of Elea was another early, original Greek thinker, famed for his Paradoxes.
  2. Zahara

    • Origin:

      Hebrew; Swahili

    • Meaning:

      "to shine; flower"

    • Description:

      Zahara, a delicate but strong multicultural name, came into the spotlight when Angelina Jolie bestowed it on her Ethiopian-born daughter, and we predict other parents will adopt it as well. If you want something simpler than Zahara, consider Zara, a royal name in England--but also the name of a Spanish-based clothing store chain.
  3. Zafira

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "to succeed"

    • Description:

      Has a gemlike glow, as in Sapphire.
  4. Zac

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Zachariah/Zachary

    • Meaning:

      "the Lord has remembered"

    • Description:

      A popular nickname that, over the past few decades, has acquired enough standing to work on its own, a la earlier equivalents such as Jack and Max; an alternative to Zach/Zack. Actor/singer Zac Efron--born Zachary--is an attractive current bearer.
  5. Zoltan

    • Origin:

      Hungarian

    • Meaning:

      "sultan"

    • Description:

      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 Dracula's dog, and was also a robotic character in Dude, Where's My Car?.
  6. Zebedee

    • Origin:

      English variation of Hebrew Zebediah

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      Zebedee is an adorable and unusual New Testament name--which may sound like but is not a contradiction in terms. Unlike some of the longer biblical Z-names, Zebedee has a more lighthearted usability, with its gleeful ee-ending. And Zeb makes a fabulous nickname.
  7. Zahra

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "flower"

    • Description:

      Abbreviated form of Zahara that was used by Chris Rock for his daughter and as a middle name by both Eddie Murphy and David Bowie. Compared with the even-more-abbreviated Zara, Zahra may create more spelling problems but clarify pronunciation.
  8. Zeta

    • Origin:

      Variation of Zita or Greek letter name

    • Description:

      The sixth letter of the Greek alphabet, popularized by Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones -- Zeta was her grandmother's first name. Zeta can also refer to the letter Z, the last in the Roman alphabet, or be a spelling variation of Zita, a name with several possible origins and meanings.
  9. Zala

    • Origin:

      Ethiopian or Slovene variation of Rozalija

    • Meaning:

      "a people from southwest Ethiopia; rose"

    • Description:

      Simple but sultry.
  10. Zuriel

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is my rock"

    • Description:

      Biblical name from the Old Testament.
  11. Zaria

    • Origin:

      African place-name, variant of Zahra, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "rose; to shine, to bloom"

    • Description:

      Zaria, the name of the Nigerian capital city, could be another Z name for parents to consider. It currently ranks lower than variations Zariah and Zariyah.
  12. Zahn

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "tooth"

    • Description:

      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.
  13. Zeb

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Zebediah or Zebulon, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God, exaltation, or little dwelling"

    • Description:

      Short and to-the-point, it turns an ancient biblical name into a friendly cowboy.
  14. Zenobia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "force of Zeus"

    • Description:

      With historical roots as a beautiful and intelligent ancient queen and literary ties to Hawthorne and Edith Wharton novels, this rarity could appeal to adventurous parents seeking the romantically unusual. Tina Fey used it as her daughter Alice's middle name.
  15. Zorian

    • Description:

      Zorian is a masculine name with Slavic and Greek roots. It derives from the Slavic element 'zor' or 'zori' meaning 'dawn' or 'sunrise,' symbolizing new beginnings and hope. Some connect it to the Greek name Zorus or to Zorios, an epithet of Apollo as a god of light. In Eastern European countries, particularly Russia, Ukraine, and Poland, Zorian has historical usage though it remains relatively uncommon. The name carries a celestial quality with its connection to light and daybreak, while its distinctive sound offers a contemporary feel despite its ancient origins. Zorian has gained modest international appeal in recent years as parents seek names that are both meaningful and uncommon, with a balanced combination of strength and melodic quality.

  16. Zaccai

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      Cool biblical name that could get you to the nicknames Zac or Cai.
  17. Zealand

    • Origin:

      English place name from Dutch

    • Meaning:

      "sea land"

    • Description:

      Sunny and energetic, but with a hint of cool cowboy, Zealand has been sparingly used since the 2000s, Zealand but shot up the charts in 2021 after YouTube family The Labrants gave it to their son the previous year. By 2022, it had quadrupled in popularity, revealing the influence celebs can make on baby name choices.
  18. Zeus

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Description:

      The supreme Olympian god represents a mighty image for a little fella to live up to, but more and more parents are beginning to consider it seriously. The Roman equivalent Jupiter has also come down to earth. And Zeus wasn't just the supreme god, he was also the god of the sky, thunder, lightning, and fate, among other weighty responsibilities.
  19. Zebediah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "gift of Jehovah"

    • Description:

      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.
  20. Zuleika

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "fair, brilliant beauty"

    • Description:

      Zuleika is a high-wire act of a name that might appeal to the intrepid baby namer, Like most 'Z'-starting girls' names, it projects a cool, strong aura, as exemplified by the character in Max Beerbohm's satirical 1910 novel, Zuleika Dobson, a heroine so gorgeous that the entire student body of Oxford University committed collective suicide at the sight of her.