Compilation of Z names
By ThatsAmore
Updated Sun Jul 09 2023
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Compilation of names beginning with the letter "Z".
- (Dear Nameberry, can we please go back to not needing the long 15+ word description?)
- Zachary
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"the Lord has remembered"Description:
Zachary, a Top 20 name throughout the 90s, is now sliding down the rankings though it remains in the Top 200. With its ancient roots and modern feel, it's easy to understand why Zachary has been such a longtime winner.
- Zoe
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"life"Description:
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.
- Zelda
Origin:
Diminutive of GriseldaMeaning:
"gray fighting maid"Description:
Classified as an early beauty, Zelda has long and often been used as such for characters in books and films. Since 1986, Zelda has been a prime Nintendo name, as in the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
- Zara
Origin:
Hebrew and ArabicMeaning:
"blooming flower; God remembers"Description:
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, a feminine form of the Hebrew Zechariah. Today, Zara is heavily associated with the Spanish fast-fashion empire of the same name.
- Zachariah
Origin:
Hebrew, form of ZechariahMeaning:
"the Lord has remembered"Description:
This distinguished name still feels a bit ancient, but with the rise of such former graybeards as Jeremiah and Elijah, it also sounds child-friendly again, as does the Latin-Greek form Zacharias.
- Zella
Origin:
African, Bobangi, Libyan place name, diminutive of Rosella, Marcella, Gizella, or IsabellaMeaning:
"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.
- Zola
Origin:
African, Congolese; also literary nameMeaning:
"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.
- Zen
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"meditation"Description:
A spiritual word name used by actor Zoe Saldana for her son as well as more recently Nick Cannon and Alyssa Scott for their late son. Zen has been trending in recent years along with other spiritual names such as Bodhi and Zion, and recently entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2022.
- Ziva
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"life"Description:
A zippy little international name. The Hebrew name relates to the month of Israeli independence, while the Slavic Ziva (also spelled Živa and Siva) is a goddess of love, life and fertility.
- Zetta
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"olive"Description:
A rarely heard Hebrew name whose zippy first initial Z transforms it from dated Yetta-like image to more lively Catherine Zeta Jones-like appeal.
- Zuzanna
Origin:
Slavic variation of SusannahMeaning:
"lily"Description:
Remember Zuzu, the adorable little girl you watch every Christmas in "It's a Wonderful Life"? Here's a direct path to that nickname, a lot more zesty than the more familiar Susannah.
- Zelpha
Description:
Zelpha is an uncommon feminine name with biblical connections, appearing as a variation of Zilpah, who was the handmaid of Leah in the Book of Genesis. The name has Hebrew origins, though its precise meaning is somewhat disputed, with some sources suggesting 'frailty' or 'drooping.' Zelpha enjoyed modest usage in the 19th century, particularly in religious communities, but remained relatively rare. The name has an antique, distinctive quality with its uncommon 'Z' beginning and 'ph' combination. While never reaching mainstream popularity, Zelpha carries a sense of history and biblical connection that appeals to some parents seeking an uncommon name with religious roots. Its vintage sound aligns with the revival of other rare biblical and historical names.
- Zakaria
Description:
Zakaria is a masculine name of Arabic and Hebrew origin, serving as a variant of Zachariah or Zechariah, which means "God has remembered." This name appears in both the Bible and the Quran, where Zakaria (or Zakariya) was a prophet and the father of John the Baptist (Yahya in Islamic tradition). The name is widely used across Muslim communities worldwide, particularly in North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. In Western countries, this spelling is less common than Zachary or Zachariah but has gained recognition with increasing global cultural awareness. Zakaria offers a meaningful spiritual connection while being recognized internationally, making it appealing to parents seeking a name with religious significance and cross-cultural resonance.
- Zuzu
Origin:
Czech diminutive of SusanMeaning:
"lily"Description:
This sizzling nickname Zuzu is heard every Christmas as the name of Jimmy Stewart's little girl in "It's a Wonderful Life," but we love it all year round as a lively alternative to double names like Gigi and Bibi.
- Zenobia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"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.
- Zula
Origin:
English, derived from Zulu, South African tribal nameDescription:
Related to the powerful South African warrior people, sometimes chosen by African-Americans to celebrate their heritage.
- Zavier
Origin:
Spelling variation of XavierDescription:
This phonetic version is occasionally used and removes any confusion about whether the X is fully pronounced or not.
- Zofia
Origin:
Czech, Polish, and Ukrainian variation of SophiaMeaning:
"wisdom"Description:
An international variation of Sophia that ranks in the Top 10 in Poland and the Top 1000 in England and Wales. Zosia is a charming diminutive.
- Zigmund
Description:
Zigmund is a masculine name that represents a variation of Sigmund, which has Germanic origins meaning 'victorious protection' or 'protector through victory.' The name combines the elements 'sig' (victory) and 'mund' (protection). This Central European variant, particularly popular in Polish, Czech, and Slovak cultures, carries a strong, distinguished character. Historically, the name gained recognition through notable figures like Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis. The spelling with 'Z' gives the name a distinctive edge while maintaining its classical roots. Though never extremely common in English-speaking countries, Zigmund offers a bold, memorable choice with historical depth for parents seeking something unique yet substantial.
- Zea
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"grain"Description:
An unusual possibility; Zea would fit right in with schoolmates named Tea and Leya.
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