The Best Boy Names Containing Z: Proven Ezra and More

Let’s talk about boy names with Z in them.

Not boy names beginning with Z. That’s a whole separate list, from traditional Zachary and Zane to novel Zion and Zayden. Boosted by celebrities like singer Zayn Malik and actor Zac Efron, the list is long. 

And that doesn’t even touch on the rare Z names for boys: Gwen Stefani’s Zuma, for example, or the mythological Zephyr, to name just two. 

Instead, boys names with Z in them come as a surprise. It’s a high value Scrabble letter tucked in the middle. And it’s a powerfully popular style.

Ezra, Ezekiel, and Enzo all rank in the US Top 100 Baby Names as of 2024, as published by the Social Security Administration.

No matter the other qualities, boy names containing Z offer something just a little more special.

The final letter of the alphabet remains relatively rare, though it might launch an entire category of names on the rise.

Special thanks to stenoknight for inspiring this post, after discovering German cellist, composer, and conductor Franz Ignaz Danzi. Danzi’s dad was Italian-born cellist Innocenz Danzi. Innocenz also had a daughter named Franziksa, who became a famous singer.

If the Danzi family can rock the letter Z way back in the eighteenth century, surely it can work for families today.

Let’s look at boy names containing Z.

ALEXZANDER

Strictly speaking, Alexander includes the Z sound, but not the letter. The nickname is typically spelled Xander, but pronounced Zander. And yet, this spelling ranked in the US Top 1000 from 2000 into 2019, and was given to 68 boys in 2025.

ALEXZAVIER

If Alexzander turns the name up to 11, surely Alexzavier is a 12. Blending Alex and Zavier together into a single name that feels familiar, but it really rather uncommon.

ALMANZO 

Familiar to anyone who grew up on Little House on the Prairie. According to her books, it was a very old family name, dating to the time of the Crusades, when an ancestor’s life was saved by an Arab man named El Manzoor. The Arabic name means victorious.

ALONZO 

Doctor Who fans almost certainly remember the episode where the doctor shouted “Allons-y, Alonzo!” You can watch the clips here. Of course, the fictional Alonzo might have spelled his name Alonso. Still, it adds a layer of sci fi fun to a Visigoth name softened by romance languages. Alonzo comes from the same roots as Alphonsus. Proof that boy names containing Z fare well? Alonzo outranks Alonso considerably.

ANZE

The name John has traveled far and wide, changing dramatically over time. Anže is a sometimes-heard Slovene rarity; it developed from Janez, which looks a little closer to John. The Czech Hanza is similar, an elaboration of Hans. 

AZAEL; AZIEL

Also spelled Hazael, this name comes from an Old Testament king, or perhaps another character – sometimes spelled Uzziel.

AZAI

Possibly a modern invention borrowing pieces of popular names. 

AZAIAH

Slimmed-down version of Ahzaiah, associated with two ancient rulers.

AZAN, AZAAN

The son of King Arcas in Greek mythology; still used in small numbers. The double-a spelling is far more popular. 

AZAR

From a Persian name meaning fire.

AZARIAH, AZARIUS, AZAIRE

Another relatively obscure Old Testament pick, sort of a re-arrangement of the more familiar Zachariah. Azaire looks like A-plus-Zaire, but it’s just a rare French form of the name.

AZIM

Arabic name meaning magnificent. 

AZIZ 

Actor and comedian Aziz Ansari puts this name on the map. The Parks and Reaction alum wears a traditional Arabic name meaning respected. It’s considered one of the 99 names of God in Islam. Ever since Ansari rose to stardom, the name has increased modestly in use.

AZLAN

Inspired by the Turkish Aslan, meaning lion, and made famous by the enduring CS Lewis character.

AZRAEL; AZRIEL

This name is potentially just a little dark. It’s an Old Testament name meaning “my help is God” … but also, sometimes, an angel associated with death in several religious traditions. It recently spiked in use recently thanks to a character on Netflix’s Lucifer.

BALTHAZAR

By custom, the Three Wise Men are called Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar. Balthazar might be the most popular of the trio. (Though Gaspar is also cousin to Jasper, which would reset that equation.) Just as with Alonzo/Alonso, Balthazar-with-a-Z ranks higher.

BAZ

Australian director Baz Luhrmann was born Mark, but got his nickname from a puppet on children’s television called Basil Brush. Baz might be short for Basil or Sebastian. But it our age of Jax and Zev, it might also stand on its own.

BLAZE 

Change the spelling and saintly Blaise becomes fiery Blaze. But Blaise actually comes from a Latin word meaning lisping, while blaze derives from an Old English word meaning flame. Once again, parents prefer the Z spelling.

BOAZ

Bo- names, like Bodhi and Bowen, are having a moment. How ’bout Boaz? The Old Testament name has just cracked the US Top 1000, and it’s even bigger in the Netherlands.

BUZZ

Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin answered to Edwin, Jr. But McFly singer-songwriter Tom Fletcher named his son Buzz Michelangelo in 2014. And from the 1930s through the 1990s, a handful of boys received the name. Admiration for Aldrin, maybe? Then again, some parents have always loved casual choices like Buddy and Sonny, too.

CAZIMIR; KAZIMIR

In English, it’s typically Casimir – without a Z. But many forms of this Slavic name are spelled with a Z, and it’s an intriguing import possibility. The original Polish name is spelled Kazimierz – double the Zs!

CHOZEN

When it comes to deeply meaningful monikers, Chosen is a modern staple. Spelling Chozen belongs to a character from the extended Karate Kid universe. The character’s return for the Cobra Kai television series came at a moment when Chosen was already on the rise, sparking interest in this spelling. 

CORTEZ 

The Spanish surname Cortez feels commanding and full of swagger. Or maybe the name seems openly aggressive. After all, conquistador Hernan Cortes claimed Mexico for Spain, causing the downfall of the Aztec civilization and the deaths of countless people. And yet the meaning is gentle – courteous or polite. And plenty of other notables have answered to the surname, including poet-activist Carlos Cortez, and opera singer Viorica Cortez. If Jackson works, so does this name.

CRUZ 

On a similar note, Cruz – the Spanish word for cross – has ranked in the US Top 1000 for years, rising sharply in use after the Beckhams chose the name for their son. It’s spiritual, but remains edgy, too, one of those classic-meets-cool boy names.

CZAR

Eleven boys were given the name last year. Also spelled tsar, this title was given to Russian monarchs. Like the German Kaiser, it’s ultimately derived from Caesar. The ‘c’ is silent; in English, it rhymes with star and car. With picks like King and Messiah in use, no surprise that we’re hearing other title names, too – especially it’s a short boy name containing Z.

DENIZ

This Turkish name looks like Dennis, but it means sea. The gender-neutral name currently ranks in the top 100 popular boy names and girl names in Turkey.

DENZEL

Denzel Washington put his distinctive name on the map, but the Oscar-winning actor is not the first. He’s actually Denzel, Jr. And Denzil, Denzell, and Denzel boast history galore. It appears on the map in Cornwall, as a surname for those originally from the area, and in sparing use as a given name, too.

ELEAZAR, ELIEZER

Another Old Testament name – or perhaps two separate, but similar names. The Eli- version of the name has hugged the fringes of the US Top 1000 in recent years, possibly because we’ve embraced Eli and Elliott, too. In fact, Eliezer sounds a lot like Eli meets Zohar or Zahir, a baby boy name containing plenty of appealing sounds.

ENZO; LORENZO; RENZO

Lorenzo is the romance language form of Lawrence. It was made famous by the famous Florentine statesman Lorenzo de Medici. Enzo seems like the logical short form, not only for Lorenzo but for names like Vincenzo, too. It might also claim independent roots. They’re among the most popular of the boy names containing z. And, of course, Lorenzo could just as easily shorten to Renzo. 

EZEKIEL, EZEQUIEL

Zeke seems likely to appeal to parents considering short Z names like Zane. But Ezekiel is longer, more like Gabriel or Rafael. The Q spelling is more common in Spanish and Portuguese. When it comes to Biblical boy names, Ezekiel is proof that names can blend spiritual significance and a cool sound, too. 

EZIAH

Possibly a spin-off of Isaiah, Hezekiah, and similar names. 

EZIO

Ezio remains rare in the US, but it fits right in with Enzo. The Italian Ezio comes from a Greek word meaning eagle.

EZRA; EZRAH

Literary, edgy, Biblical, and now one of the most popular picks for boys born in the US. Ezra sounds smart, but retains a lot of cool, too.

FARZAD

Persian name meaning brilliance.

FITZ; FRITZ

Fitz and Fritz bring to mind longer names. Surnames like Fitzhugh and Fitzgerald originally indicated “son of” and later sometimes used for illegitimate children, like Fitzroy – son of the king. Fitz and the Tantrums takes part of their name from frontman Michael Fitzpatrick. Fritz, on the other hand, is short for Friedrich, the German form of Frederick. Both sound short, zippy, and interesting today, though neither appears in the US Top 1000.

FITZPATRICK; FITZROY; FITZWILLIAM

Some of the Fitz- surnames seem like a stretch. But a surprising number of these have appeared in the SSA data over the years. They make for reasonably unique boy names, but also nod to some familiar figures. In Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy’s (family) first name is Fitzwilliam. 

FRANZ

A German form of Francis. Plenty of options pick up a Z from an S sound. Classic Francis is no exception. Another, less portable, Francis name with a Z? Polish diminutive Francizek.

FRAZIER

A Scottish surname name also spelled Frasier and Fraser.

HAMZA, HAMZAH

An Arabic name meaning “steadfast” or possibly lion. 

HAZE, HAZEN

Haze might be the equivalent of Hayes, a parallel to Blaze and Blaise. Hazen seems like a modern invention, though it could be cousin to Dutch and Germanic surnames like Haas. Or maybe the names mark an attempt to find a masculine equivalent of Hazel? Both are rare, but not unknown. Hazen also feels like an update to choices like Zaiden. 

HEZEKIAH

Like Ezekiel, this name might shorten to Zeke. (Or even Zach or Zaki?) Another Old Testament name, Hezekiah ruled the kingdom of Judah. Perhaps a name like this would once have seemed unwieldy. But today, longer names for boys feel mainstream, as do less common Biblical choices. If Elijah and Isaiah and Zechariah work, why not Hezekiah?

IZAEL

Another novel name containing stylish sounds. Isael also appears in the current US Top 1000. 

IZAIAH

Isaiah is far more popular, but Izaiah has a Z.

IZAN

A Spanish take on traditional Ethan. 

JAZIEL

Old Testament name meaning “God is my maker,” also spelled with an S.

JERZY

The Polish form of George almost has potential. Except in American English, it hits like a creative take on Jersey, which seems like strange inspiration for a child’s name.

JOZIAH

As Izaiah is to Isaiah, so Joziah is to Josiah.

KAIZEN

A cousin to Kaison and Kaisen, with the added bonus of the letter Z.

KENZO

It sounds like Enzo-with-a-K, but Kenzo is a Japanese name. Designer Kenzo Takada founded a fashion house in Paris and gave it his name. That introduced Kenzo to the wider world.

KHAZA

A name put on the list of possibilities by American rapper Kevin Gates. It’s also the name of his son, who is often featured on mom Dreka Gates’ Instagram.

LASZLO; LAZLO

While the spelling seems non-intuitive for English speakers, Laszlo sounds very on-trend with the middle Z and ending O. A classic Hungarian name occasionally heard in the US, Laszlo makes a bold choice. Actor Jason Biggs has a Lazlo. So does musician Pete Wentz, though he spelled it Lazslo.

LAZARAUS; LAZARO

Another Biblical pick, Lazarus derives from Eleazar, mentioned earlier. In the New Testament, Jesus brought Lazarus back to life. The name has yet to crack the US Top 1000, though Lazaro – the Spanish form – has charted occasionally from the 1960s into the 1990s.It’s on the upswing in recent years, thanks to both the letter Z and the name’s connotations of rebirth.

LONZO

Originally short for Lorenzo, Lonzo has attracted attention in the US thanks to the NBA’s Lonzo Ball.

MAURIZIO

Italian form of Maurice.

MAZE, MAZHE

It looks like a word name for someone who loves a puzzle, but Maze and Mazhe evolved as Breton nicknames for Matthew. It’s also sometimes a contracted form of Spanish double names like Maria José: Mazé.

MELCHIZEDEK 

While a great many Old Testament names are back in favor – or being discovered for the first time – Melchizedek, the name of an ancient king, remains obscure.

MIRZA

Persian name meaning prince.

NAZIM

An Arabic name meaning organizer. 

OZIAS

A Hebrew name from the Old Testament, also sometimes spelled Uzziah, which also fits on the list of boy names with Z in them.

OZIEL

This Greek name is the equivalent of Uzziel. But with the potential nickname Ozzy, the Oz- spelling fits with unique baby names but feels more accessible. 

OZZY

A cuddly nickname name with a heavy metal edge, Ozzy can be short for lots of longer names. But in our age of Charlie-not-Charles and Theo-not-Theodore, it stands on its own nicely, too.

TENZIN

Best known as the given name of the current Dalai Lama, Tenzin means “upholder of teachings” in Tibetan.

TZVI

This one is challenging for English speakers, but it’s an Israeli name fro a Hebrew word meaning deer. Pronounce it with two syllables: tsuh VEE – more or less. 

UZZIEL

A name meaning “my power is God in Hebrew,” associated with several Old Testament figures.

VINCENZO 

The Italian form of Vincent, sometimes shortened to Cenzo with a CH.

XZAVIER

Xavier is a traditional Basque name maAde famous by a saint. Pronunciation varies; Xzavier makes it clear that parents are saying the “ex” in front of the “zay.”

Do you have boy names with Z in them on your list? 

First published on October 5, 2016, this post was substantially revised and re-posted on May 31, 2023; May 26, 2024; and September 11, 2026.