Sweet Z~s!

Zoe

Greek

"life"

Zoe is one of those surprising names that has been on the Top 1000 nearly every year since 1880, but it's only since the turn of this century that it's ranked in the Top 100. Despite its popularity…

Zara

Hebrew and Arabic

"blooming flower; God remembers"

Zara has multiple origins, but most notably is a variation of Zahrah, a name derived from the Arabic zahrah , meaning "blooming flower." Zara can also be a diminutive of the Bulgarian name Zaharina,…

Zora

Serbo-Croatian

"dawn"

Zora is a meaningful literary heroine name honoring Zora Neale Hurston, an important black writer and leader of the Harlem Renaissance. Spelled Zorah, it is a biblical place name, and is also the…

Zelena

Greek variation of Selena

See SELENA.

Zilah

Zilah is a feminine name with Hebrew origins, likely derived from the biblical name Zillah, which means 'shadow' or 'shade.' This evocative meaning carries connotations of protection and mystery. The…

Zia

Short form of Luzia or Terézia, Hungarian, Portuguese

"light; harvest"

A short and zippy name that would blend right in with but also stand out among a group of girls named Mia, Gia, Lia and Tia. It is a multicultural choice, used in Hungary as a short from of Terézia,…

Zephyra

Zephyra is an ethereal feminine name derived from 'Zephyr,' the Greek god of the west wind. The name carries connotations of gentleness and freedom, as Zephyrus was known as the harbinger of spring…

Zola

African, Congolese; also literary name

"piece of earth"

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…

Zipporah

Variation of Tziporah, Hebrew

"bird"

There are many variations of this name, with or without the initial T and the final h, with one p or two. In the Bible she was the wife of Moses.

Zadie

English variation of Sadie, from Sarah, Hebrew

"princess"

When aspiring British writer Sadie Smith decided to change her name to the more distinctive and zippy Zadie at the age of fourteen, this attention-magnet name was born. But though it might sound like…

Zanne

Zanne is an uncommon feminine name that likely originated as a shortened form of Suzanne or possibly as a variant of Zanna. The name ultimately derives from Hebrew origins, connected to Susanna,…

Zella

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

"lacking nothing, one who knows the way"

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…