Boy names that start with Z
Z closes the alphabet with eighteen names and no representative in the current U.S. top 100: Zachary, the letter's biggest name, fell out after a long run in the 1990s. What remains divides cleanly. The Hebrew Z names are ancient and easy — Zion, Zev, Zachariah. The Slavic ones open with consonant clusters English never uses, which is why Zbigniew looks harder than it sounds.
Z names in common use
- ZacharyZAK-uh-reeHebrew
Yahweh has remembered. The English form of Zechariah; after a very strong run in the 1990s it now sits outside the U.S. top 100.
- Zachariahzak-uh-RYE-uhHebrew
Yahweh has remembered — the older, fuller spelling, and the one that gives you Zach without sounding like the 1990s.
- ZaynZAYNArabic
Beauty; grace; adornment. Zayn Malik took a common Arabic name onto English-speaking birth certificates.
- ZaneZAYNEnglish
Uncertain. The novelist Zane Grey inherited it from his mother's family, the Zanes of Ohio, and it has been a given name ever since.
- ZionZYE-unHebrew
The fortified hill of Jerusalem and, by extension, the promised land. Rastafarian and gospel use gave it a second life.
- ZevZEVHebrew
Wolf. The Hebrew counterpart of Yiddish Wolf, and about as compact as a name gets.
Rare Z names with a European history
- ZenoZEE-nohGreek
Of Zeus; belonging to Zeus. Zeno of Citium founded Stoicism; Zeno of Elea set the paradoxes.
- ZephyrZEF-erGreek
The west wind; a soft breeze. Zephyrus was the god who brought the spring.
- ZoltánZOL-tahnHungarian
A ruler's title worn as a name — the same word that gives English sultan.
- ZbigniewZBIG-nyefPolish
One who dispels anger. The poet Zbigniew Herbert is the name's best advertisement.
- ZbyněkZBI-nyekCzech
One who dispels anger. The Czech counterpart of Zbigniew, and slightly easier to say.
- ZdeněkZDEH-nyekCzech
Traditionally linked to the Latin name Sidonius, a man of Sidon. Thoroughly Czech in practice.
- Zakharzuh-KHARRussian
The Lord has remembered — a promise kept. The Russian Zachariah.
- Zorionsoh-ree-OHNBasque
Happiness; good fortune. Basque built it from zori, luck, and it is used as a word every day.
Z names from Arabic, Chinese and Swahili
- ZaidZAYDArabic
Growth, increase, abundance. Zayd ibn Harithah was among the earliest Muslims.
- Zuberizoo-BEH-reeSwahili
Traditionally glossed as strong, firm. Swahili by way of Arabic.
- Zihaodzuh-HOWChinese
A heroic son; or, written with 梓, the catalpa tree joined to that same heroic spirit.
- Zhihaojih-HOWChinese
The will fixed on something, joined to a large and heroic spirit. A common modern pairing.