This list includes 54 Modern girl names that start with Z, from “Zabelle” to “Zuri”. Many are cross-cultural favorites or recent coinages that appear in social media and national name lists.
Modern girl names that start with Z are contemporary, often short, and appealing across languages; they combine familiar sounds with modern spellings. Zuri, for example, rose in popularity internationally and highlights the trend for short, meaningful names.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Pronunciation (with IPA), Meaning, and Popularity/Notes.
Name: The given name as commonly written, so you can scan choices and compare spelling variants quickly.
Origin: Shows the country, language, or cultural source so you understand each name’s background and context.
Pronunciation (with IPA): Gives a user-friendly pronunciation plus IPA where helpful so you can say names confidently.
Meaning: Concise definition or root meaning to help you choose names that match themes or desirable meanings.
Popularity/Notes: Brief popularity ranks, trends, or usage notes to help you prioritize familiar or unique options.
Modern girl names that start with Z
| Name | Origin | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoe | Greek | ZOH-ee /ˈzoʊ.i/ | life |
| Zoey | English | ZOH-ee /ˈzoʊ.i/ | life |
| Zoya | Russian/Slavic | ZOH-yah /ˈzojə/ | life |
| Zara | Arabic/Hebrew | ZAH-rah /ˈzɑːrə/ | princess; blossom |
| Zarah | Hebrew/Arabic | ZAH-rah /ˈzɑːrə/ | princess, radiance |
| Zahra | Arabic | ZAH-rah /ˈzɑːrə/ | flower, radiant |
| Zehra | Turkish | ZEH-hrah /ˈzehrə/ | radiant, blooming |
| Zahara | Arabic/Swahili | zah-HAH-rah /zəˈhɑːrə/ | flowering, shining |
| Zahira | Arabic | zah-HEE-rah /zəˈhiːrə/ | shining, clear |
| Zaina | Arabic | ZAY-nah /ˈzeɪnə/ | beautiful |
| Zayna | Arabic | ZAY-nah /ˈzeɪnə/ | beautiful |
| Zayla | Somali/Arabic | ZAY-lah /ˈzeɪlə/ | variation of Layla/Zaina |
| Zaylee | English | ZAY-lee /ˈzeɪli/ | modern coinage; variant of Kaylee |
| Zaila | Somali/Arabic | ZAY-lah /ˈzeɪlə/ | variation of Zaila/Zayla |
| Zuri | Swahili | ZOO-ree /ˈzuːri/ | beautiful |
| Zola | African/French | ZOH-lah /ˈzoʊlə/ | quietly strong; earth (varied) |
| Zora | Slavic | ZOR-ah /ˈzɔːrə/ | dawn |
| Zoraida | Spanish/Arabic | zo-RY-dah /zoʊˈraɪdə/ | enchanting, alluring |
| Zorina | Slavic | zo-REE-nah /zəˈriːnə/ | little dawn |
| Zosia | Polish | ZOH-shah /ˈzɔʃə/ | diminutive of Sophia |
| Ziva | Hebrew | ZEE-vah /ˈziːvə/ | radiance, brilliance |
| Zinnia | English | ZIN-ee-ah /ˈzɪniə/ | flower name |
| Zuleika | Arabic/Persian | zoo-LAY-kah /zuˈleɪkə/ | fair, brilliant |
| Zuleyka | Spanish/Arabic | zoo-LAY-kah /zuˈleɪkə/ | variant of Zuleika |
| Zulema | Spanish/Arabic | zu-LEH-ma /zuˈlɛmə/ | peaceful, safe |
| Zafira | Arabic | zah-FEE-rah /zəˈfɪrə/ | victorious |
| Zohra | Arabic/Berber | ZOH-rah /ˈzoʊrə/ | flower, luminous |
| Zeynep | Turkish | ZAY-nep /ˈzeɪnɛp/ | from Zaynab; fragrant plant |
| Zena | Greek/Arabic | ZEE-nah /ˈziːnə/ | short form (Zenaida/Zenobia) |
| Zenaida | Greek | zeh-NAY-dah /ˌzɛnˈeɪdə/ | of Zeus |
| Zenobia | Greek | zeh-NOH-bee-uh /ˌzɛnəˈbiːə/ | life of Zeus |
| Zella | German/English | ZEL-lah /ˈzɛlə/ | woman; blessed |
| Zelda | Germanic/Yiddish | ZEL-dah /ˈzɛldə/ | gray battle maid; short for Griselda |
| Zelina | Spanish/Slavic | zeh-LEE-nah /zəˈliːnə/ | little Zel; variant of Celina |
| Zelie | French | ZAY-lee /zeˈli/ | diminutive of Azélie |
| Zelia | Portuguese/Greek | ZEE-lee-ah /ˈze.li.ə/ | zealous, devoted |
| Zulfiya | Uzbek/Arabic | zul-FEE-yah /zulˈfijə/ | possessor of beauty |
| Zamira | Arabic/Hebrew | za-MEER-ah /zəˈmɪrə/ | song; excellent |
| Zandra | English | ZAN-drah /ˈzændrə/ | short for Alexandra |
| Zana | Albanian/Slavic | ZAH-nah /ˈzɑːnə/ | fairy, goddess (Albanian) |
| Zanna | English/Italian | ZAN-uh /ˈzænə/ | variant of Susanna |
| Zaneta | Polish | zah-NET-ah /zəˈnɛtə/ | diminutive of Susanna |
| Zarina | Persian/Arabic | zah-REE-nah /zəˈriːnə/ | golden |
| Zaria | Multicultural | zah-REE-ah /zəˈriːə/ | princess; blossom |
| Zariah | English | zah-RYE-uh /zəˈraɪə/ | variant of Zaria |
| Zaida | Arabic/Spanish | ZAY-dah /ˈzeɪdə/ | prosperous, increasing |
| Zabelle | Armenian | zah-BEL /zəˈbɛl/ | pledged to God (Isabel variant) |
| Zakiya | Arabic | zah-KEE-yah /zəˈkiːjə/ | pure, intelligent |
| Zaya | Mongolian/English | ZAH-yah /ˈzɑːjə/ | fortunate, fate |
| Zita | Italian | ZEE-tah /ˈziːtə/ | little girl |
| Zerlina | Italian | zer-LEE-nah /zərˈliːnə/ | little spear |
| Zeta | Greek | ZAY-tah /ˈzeɪtə/ | Greek letter name |
| Zofia | Polish | ZOH-fyah /ˈzɔfja/ | wisdom (Polish Sophia) |
| Zemira | Hebrew | zeh-MEER-ah /zəˈmɪrə/ | song |
Descriptions
Zoe
Classic Greek name meaning “life”; very popular in English-speaking countries, simple and timeless with many spelling variants.
Zoey
Modern English spelling of Zoe; trendy in the US, playful and familiar, frequently seen on baby-name lists and in pop culture.
Zoya
Slavic form of Zoe common in Russia and South Asia; stylish, international, and a lively alternative to Zoe.
Zara
Multi-origin name (Arabic, Hebrew, English); chic, globally popular and used by celebrities and brands.
Zarah
Alternative spelling of Zara; familiar yet exotic, seen in English-speaking countries and diverse communities.
Zahra
Widely used in Arabic-speaking countries; elegant, floral meaning and contemporary usage in many cultures.
Zehra
Turkish and Balkan spelling of Zahra; popular in Turkey and visible in European name registers.
Zahara
Variant of Zahra with a slightly exotic sound; used internationally, including Africa and the West.
Zahira
Arabic name meaning “bright” or “distinguished”; lyrical and used across Muslim communities.
Zaina
Arabic name meaning “beauty”; short, stylish, and popular in English-speaking contexts.
Zayna
Variant spelling of Zaina; trendy and contemporary with the same flattering meaning.
Zayla
Modern-sounding variant used in Somali, Arabic, and English-speaking families; soft and lyrical.
Zaylee
Contemporary invented name combining “Zay” + “-lee”; trendy, often seen in US birth lists and social media.
Zaila
Used in Somali communities and gaining visibility in English-speaking countries; short and melodic.
Zuri
Short, trendy African name meaning “beautiful”; has risen in US popularity and is valued for its crisp sound.
Zola
Short, spunky name used in English-speaking countries; literary and vintage-modern vibe.
Zora
Slavic name meaning “dawn”; classic in Eastern Europe and increasingly used in the West as a vintage revival.
Zoraida
Spanish/Arabic name with literary history; romantic and uncommon in English-speaking baby lists.
Zorina
Feminine diminutive of Zora; elegant, exotic-sounding, used in Eastern Europe and occasionally in English use.
Zosia
Polish diminutive of Sophia; cute and traditional in Poland, increasingly chosen abroad for its charm.
Ziva
Hebrew name popular in Israel and internationally; short, energetic, and modern-feeling.
Zinnia
Botanical name from the zinnia flower; colorful, modern nature name that’s gained traction with contemporary parents.
Zuleika
Literary name of Persian/Arabic origin used in English and Spanish contexts; romantic and distinctive.
Zuleyka
Popular variant in Latin America; recognized from celebrities and pageants, melodic and modern.
Zulema
Spanish form with Arabic roots; Mediterranean flair and usable today.
Zafira
Less common Arabic name meaning “victorious”; elegant and uncommon in Western registers.
Zohra
North African form of Zahra; widely used in the Maghreb and present in European name lists.
Zeynep
Extremely popular in Turkey; modern, culturally rooted, and increasingly known internationally.
Zena
Versatile short name used across cultures; simple, vintage yet contemporary as a standalone choice.
Zenaida
Greek-origin name used in Spanish and Slavic countries; classical, elegant, and still in use.
Zenobia
Historic queen’s name revived as a bold, dramatic choice for modern parents seeking something memorable.
Zella
Short vintage name revived by modern parents; retro-chic, simple, and easy to spell.
Zelda
Old-fashioned turned hip—Zelda has seen renewed interest thanks to literary and pop-culture exposure.
Zelina
Lyrical and feminine; used across languages as an elegant modern choice.
Zelie
French diminutive (Zélie) revived in English-speaking countries; chic, soft, and increasingly familiar.
Zelia
Classic in Lusophone countries; elegant and uncommon in English-speaking name lists.
Zulfiya
Central Asian name used in Uzbekistan and nearby regions; modern in its culture with a lyrical sound.
Zamira
Name found in Arabic and Hebrew contexts; musical-sounding, feminine, and used in several languages.
Zandra
Modern-sounding variant of Sandra/Alexandra; strong, straightforward, and familiar as a given name.
Zana
Albanian name meaning “fairy”; folkloric and short, gaining interest internationally for its mythic feel.
Zanna
Modern short form of Susanna; quirky, stylish, and easy to wear.
Zaneta
Polish form used in Central Europe; traditional but still given to girls today.
Zarina
Persian/Turkic name meaning “golden”; exotic and feminine, seen across cultures.
Zaria
Multicultural name with varied meanings; used in Africa and English-speaking countries as a stylish, modern choice.
Zariah
Modern embellished spelling of Zaria; trendy in anglophone baby-name charts and social media.
Zaida
Classical Spanish-Arabic name used today across Hispanic and Muslim communities; elegant and familiar.
Zabelle
Armenian form of Isabel; melodic, historic, and uncommon in English usage.
Zakiya
Modern Arabic name (also spelled Zakia); elegant and increasingly used internationally.
Zaya
Short Mongolian name adopted in English contexts; crisp, simple, and modern-sounding.
Zita
Vintage saint’s name revived by modern parents; short, sweet, and European-flavored.
Zerlina
Diminutive used in opera and literature; elegant, melodic, and a rare contemporary choice.
Zeta
Short, modern-sounding name adopted from the Greek alphabet; stylish, distinctive, and uncommon.
Zofia
Popular in Poland and Eastern Europe; classic with Slavic spelling and rising international visibility.
Zemira
Hebrew feminine name meaning “song”; elegant, rare, and usable in contemporary settings.