Boy Names Starting with Z: Zion, Zephyr, Zaiden

When it comes to boy names starting with Z, we all get the appeal.

The letter Z feels effortlessly cool. It’s just a little bit different. While it may fall at the very end of the alphabet, there’s something about the letter and the sound that commands our attention.

Zorro used a single Z as his mark. And Z can transform a more conventional sound – just ask the parents of Zayden.

Of course, if you’re into classic names, there are several that satisfy both requirements – all of the edge of the letter Z, but plenty of roots and tradition, too.

Add it up, and Z names for boys represent some extremes: the invented and trendy, the enduring and deeply rooted.

It’s a shorter list than many letters. A relatively small pool of names means that Z ranks 19 out of 26 on the list of most popular initials for boys’ names. (In other words, not very popular at all.) But maybe that just adds to the appeal.

Z NAMES FOR BOYS IN THE US TOP 1000

ZACHARY (#135)

A traditional name amped up by its first initial, Zachary is the typical English version of the Old Testament staple, Zechariah. It means “God remembers.”

ZION (#144)

Seldom heard until the late 1990s, Zion can refer to Jerusalem … or heaven.

ZAYDEN (#185)

Take Aiden, add a Z, and the result is this twenty-first century name.

ZANE (#259)

Multiple origins and meanings attach to Zane. One familiar reference: legendary author Zane Grey, known for his depictions of the American West.

ZANDER (#280)

Xander comes from the last two syllables of Alexander. Zander makes it a little more phonetic.

ZAYN (#310)

Zayn means beauty in Arabic. It owes its popularity to two things: first, the crossover appeal, as it is so close to established English name Zane. But the name’s sharp rise is likely down to singer – and One Direction alum – Zayn Malik.

ZAYNE (#397)

A little bit Zayn, a little bit Zane.

ZYAIRE (#447)

The Democratic Republic of Congo was formerly known as Zaire. Voltaire used Zaire as a feminine name; but the country’s former name came from a Portuguese take on a native phrase. While Zaire is nearly as popular as a boy’s name in the US today, Zyaire is more popular. Perhaps it seems slightly more phonetic?

ZAIDEN (#513)

Another possible spelling of Zayden.

ZACHARIAH (#520)

A Zachary name slightly closer to the original Hebrew Zechariah.

ZAIRE (#522)

The original, but currently less popular, spelling of Zyaire.

ZAINE (#573)

If you’re counting, this is the fourth spelling of Zane to make the list.

ZAID (#669)

It looks like Zain meets Reid, but Zaid is an Arabic name meaning “to increase.”

ZEKE (#676)

Originally short for names like Ezekiel, Zeke fits right in with brisk, bold boy names like Cole.

ZAYD (#776)

Another spelling for Zaid.

ZAVIER (#881)

Xavier is a Top 100 favorite, a traditional name with a cool sound. Zavier offers a streamlined spelling, one that makes the parents’ preferred pronunciation clear.

ZAHIR (#889)

An appealing Arabic name with a strong meaning: supporter.

ZAKAI (#905)

The name of a minor Old Testament character, Zakai – also spelled Zaccai – means pure.

ZEV (#921)

Zev means wolf in Hebrew.

ZECHARIAH (#924)

The most old school version of Zachary.

ZYAIR (#968)

Another spelling of Zaire, making this place name more popular than you might guess.

OVERLOOKED Z NAMES FOR BOYS

ZACCHEUS

An unexpected Zac- name, it’s spelled Zacchaeus in the New Testament.

ZEBEDEE

This name is just plain fun to say! It comes from Zebadiah, an Old Testament name.

ZEBEDIAH

Jebediah meets the initial Z.

ZEDEKIAH

Yet another Z-meets-J possibility.

ZEBULON

One of Jacob’s sons in the Old Testament, Zebulon has a long history of use. If you’ve been to Pike’s Peak in Colorado, you might know that it was named after American army officer and explorer Zebulon Pike. Well over a dozen counties and other places are named in his honor, too.

ZEN

A mini name, rich with meaning.

ZEPHYR

The west wind in Greek mythology, Zephyr sounds like lots of two-syllable, r-ending boy names popular now … and yet, it’s a little different, too.

ZERAH

An Old Testament name with a great meaning: shining.

ZEUS

The king of the gods in Greek myth, Zeus comes with a cool sound … though it’s a little like being named Thor.

ZOLTAN

A traditional Hungarian name, Zoltan might have been derived from the title sultan.

What are your favorite boy names starting with Z?

First published on December 28, 2020, this post was revised and updated on February 21, 2022.