First, congratulations on your new pup! It’s really exciting having a new best friend, especially a cute, little, furry one. Now, you have a lot to do, like buying food, toys, and treats. You also need to pick a name for your doggo. Don’t stress over it, though, we’ve got your back.
Do you think there aren’t many dog names starting with the letter Z? Well, think again!
If you’re looking for cute, popular, or exotic dog names that start with Z, this post is for you. We gathered and categorized every name possible to make your job easier.

Female Dog Names That Start With Z
Some people like giving their little female pups girly girl names, like:
- Zara
- Zallie
- Zahara
- Zelina
- Zooey
- Zia
- Zenga
- Zuma
- Zarra
- Zori
- Zusha
- Zerena
- Zerenia
- Zeira
- Zenda
- Zahlee
- Zakelina
Male Dog Names That Start With Z
Names that would be more suitable for a male dog are plenty. They usually have masculine vibes to them, like:
- Zimri
- Ziya
- Zetes
- Zigor
- Zevulun
- Ziv
- Ziven
- Zivon
- Zeke
- Zeal
- Zan
- Zool
- Zorn
- Zadie
- Zaham
- Zimp
- Zondo
Popular Dog Names That Start With Z
Some people like to steer away from popular dog names to avoid duplication and confusion. However, some people are really into naming their dogs more classic names, like:
- Zeus
- Zed
- Zora
- Zion
- Zyan
- Zemo
- Zori
- Ziggy
- Zapper
- Zorro
- Zee
- Zella
- Zante
- Zuzu
- Zeggy
- Zulu
- Zima
Human Dog Names That Start With Z
Giving your pup a human name is constantly growing in popularity. People like thinking of their little furballs as family members.
Unlike the old days when dogs were given more generic pet names, now you’re more likely to hear names like:
- Zach
- Zoey
- Zidane
- Zelda
- Zoya
- Zucker
- Zada
- Zondra
- Zane
- Zuri
- Zacharias
- Ziva
- Zachary
- Zayd
- Zahra
- Zoe
- Zola
Catchy Dog Names That Start With Z
It’s a good idea to choose a catchy name that’s easy to say and easier for your pup to pick up, like:
- Zeke
- Zeppy
- Zoot
- Zoppico
- Zorno
- zoom
- Zell
- Zosha
- Zucca
- Zuckie
- Zula
- Zurra
- Zwing
- Zypp
- Zika
- Zenos
- Zo
Cute Dog Names That Start With Z
Maybe that puppy is too cute and fluffy to have a regular dog name. Cuter names include:
- Zusa
- Zuzi
- Zeeboo
- Zaza
- Zuzy
- Zeelie
- Zsa Zsa
- Zasu
- Zazzy
- Zuni
- Zeno
- Zeppo
- Zap
- Zesty
- Zeebo
- Zizou
Unique Dog Names That Start With Z
It’s lovely to give your dog a unique name. Some people prefer extraordinary names that are a bit unfamiliar, like:
- Zorabell
- Zowie
- Zukor
- Zurich
- Zuro
- Zwig
- Zwindler
- Zygi
- Zyon
- Zephyr
- Zabbud
- Zinerva
- Zaire
- Zeita
- Zaydi
- Zodiac
- Zany
Cool Dog Names That Start With Z
The following dog names are really cool and fresh. Take a look:
- Zorba
- Zango
- Zappa
- Zero
- Zone
- Zade
- Zango
- Zale
- Zoccali
- Zocor
- Zalmunna
- Zellman
- Zenon
- Zazen
- Zurek
- Zen
- Zanzibar
Astronomical Dog Names That Start With Z
Do you like to give your dog an interstellar name? There’s a huge number of minor planets that have names starting with the letter Z, like:
- Zabadak
- Zachdolch
- Zachia
- Zabinski
- Zabori
- Zachariassen
- Zachery
- Ziziyu
- Zacharyrice
- Zaniah
- Zibal
- Zosma
- Zhang
- Zaurak
- Zacny
- Zavist
- Zarrin
Tough Dog Names That Start With Z
Are you thinking you can’t name your Great Dane pup a cute name only to end up growing out of it? Those tough names are more suitable for huge and bulky dog breeds:

- Zoltan
- Zubov
- Zukerman
- Zylon
- Zonke
- Zillah
- Zacchaeus
- Zenoah
- Ziebach
- Zacharby
- Zakan
- Zander
- Zelika
- Zaandam
- Zappelin
- Zamboni
- Zeeman
Funny Dog Names That Start With Z
If your pup is more of a crowd pleaser with a sense of humor, you might love some of those funny names. Take a look:
- Zipper
- Zoneout
- Zippy
- Zombie
- Zucchini
- Zerox
- Zippo
- Zanzibark
- Zebedee
- Zippity Do Dah
- Zoo
- Zebra
Other Dog Names That Start With Z
Haven’t found what you’re looking for? Here are some more names:
- Zannie
- Zyra
- Zato
- Zebadiah
- Zebullun
- Zagi
- Zagus
- Zaja
- Zalida
- Zado
- Zamiro
- Zarissa
- Zarola
- Zapris
- Zasta
- Zatya
- Zenzie
Exotic Dog Names That Start With Z and Their Meaning
Some people like choosing an exotic name for their dog. It could also be a great conversation starter. Plus, it’s good to know the origin and meaning of the name you choose.
Here are some unconventional dog names and their meaning:
Arabic Names
- Zahab: neutral, meaning “gold”
- Zakki: masculinee, meaning “intelligent”
- Zabib: neutral, meaning “raisins”
- Zahra: feminine, meaning “flower”
- Zayn: masculine, meaning “beautiful”
- Zaim: masculine, meaning “commander”
- Zada: feminine, meaning “fortunate”
- Zaafer: masculine, meaning “victorious”
- Zahid: masculine, meaning “self-denied”
- Zahaa: feminine, meaning “beauty”
Hebrew Names
- Zared: masculine, meaning “ambush”
- Zaidee: feminine, meaning “princess”
- Zamira: feminine, meaning “nightingale”
- Zebb: masculine, meaning “habitation”
- Zebulon: masculine, meaning “dwelling place”
- Zac: masculine, meaning “god remembers”
- Zalmir: masculine, meaning “songbird”
- Zeev: masculine, meaning “wolf”
- Zalman: masculine, a form of the name “Solomon,” meaning “peace”
- Zubin: masculine, meaning “praised highly”
- Zeta: feminine, meaning “olive”
- Zaneta: feminine, meaning “with the grace of god”
- Zabdiel: masculine, meaning “gift”
- Zabrina: feminine, meaning “fruitful desert flower”
- Zehira: feminine, meaning “guarded or protected”
- Zepora: feminine, meaning “bird”
Swahili Names
- Zahur: neutral, meaning “blooming”
- Zakia: feminine, meaning “intelligent or bright”
- Ziwa: feminine, meaning “woman of the lake”
- Zuri: masculine, meaning “white-skinned”
- Zende: masculine, meaning “firm”
- Zaida: feminine, meaning “to boost, raise”
- Zuber: masculine, meaning “brave”
- Zuhri: masculine, meaning “good-looking”
- Zuher: masculine, meaning “shining”
- Zanta: feminine, meaning “beautiful girl”
- Zahran: masculine, meaning “shine, shining star”
- Zizimia: masculine, meaning “to disappear”
- Zamoyoni: masculine, meaning “of the heart”
Greek Names
- Zena: feminine, meaning “friendly, hospitable”
- Zenas: neutral, meaning “living”
- Zane: masculine, meaning “god is gracious”
- Zander: masculine, meaning “defender of humankind”
- Zale: neutral, meaning “power of the sea”
- Zanthus: masculine, meaning “blond or fair hair”
- Zandra: feminine, meaning “defender of humankind”
- Zoe: feminine, meaning “life”
- Zeva: feminine, meaning “sword”
- Zenobio: masculine, meaning “strength of Jupiter”
- Zanita: feminine, meaning “long teeth”
- Zissis: masculine, meaning “life”
- Zoilo: masculine, meaning “lively”
Latin Names
- Zenith: masculine, meaning “highest point”
- Zeal: masculine, meaning “energy”
- Zia: neutral, meaning “splendor or light”
- Zabra: feminine, meaning “topper”
- Zama: feminine, meaning “fly”
- Zaria: feminine, meaning “princess or sunlight”
- Zanna: feminine, meaning “god’s gift”
- Zenaida: feminine, meaning “power of Zeus”
- Zenn: feminine, meaning “religious or little”
- Zezili: feminine, meaning “gray eyes”
- Zaniel: masculine, meaning “angel of Mondays”
- Zanobi: masculine, meaning “scarily alive”
- Zona: masculine, meaning “belt”
- Zosimo: masculine, meaning “one who fights”
- Zorian: masculine, meaning “happy”
Turkish Names:
- Zeheb: masculine, meaning “gold”
- Zeki: masculine, meaning “smart or intelligent”
- Zerdali: feminine, meaning “wild apricot”
- Zuleyha: feminine, meaning “the moon”
- Zerrin: feminine, meaning “golden”
- Zrean: feminine, meaning “golden or bright”
- Zenyo: feminine, meaning “beautiful or ornament”
- zafer: masculine, meaning “victory”
- Zohan: masculine, meaning “gift from god”
- zoltan: masculine, meaning “ruler or sultan”
Persian Names
- Zenanda: feminine, meaning “queen”
- Zanbur: neutral, meaning “wasp or bee”
- Zena: feminine, meaning “moon or fame”
- Zardaloo: neutral, meaning “apricot”
- Zeeba: neutral, meaning “beautiful”
- Zahin: masculine, meaning “great or intelligent”
- Zand: masculine, meaning “gold medal”
- Zohre: feminine, meaning “the planet venus”
- Zarang: neutral, meaning “smart or clever”
- Zaryab: feminine, meaning “liquid gold”
Important Tips Before Choosing a Dog Name
Naming your new puppy should be fun. The name you choose for your dog is a reflection of its character. So, it’s best to get to know your new pup before determining its name.
You can’t go wrong with any name, though. As long as you like it, your pup will! That said, here are a few dos and don’t to consider before picking a name for your dog:

Do:
- Take the time to bond with your pup. Go out for walks or play in the park. Observing your pup’s personality, likes, dislikes, and attitude will give you more name ideas.
- Associate the name with a happy memory of yours, like a favorite childhood TV show, a vacation destination, or a missed hometown. Write down any name that might remind you of that memory.
- Repeating sounds like Zuzu, Zaza, or Zizi easily roll off your tongue and are easier for your dog to learn.
- Consider what your dog will ultimately look like with time, and choose the name accordingly. Your little pup might be adorable and fuzzy now, but after a couple of years, a cute name may not suit the looks unless you choose to go sarcastic!
- Choose a two-syllable name that ends with a vowel, as experts recommend. Those names flow out well and are easier to call out anywhere, especially in public places. It’s not a rule, as some people find short names to be catchier and easier to pronounce.
- Think ahead, like 4 years from now. It’s better to stick with a name that you’ll like in the long run, not just in the present.
- Consider your puppy’s heritage. Knowing the history of your dog’s breed, whether coming from Asia, Europe, or the Middle East, might give you inspiration for the name.
- Check with the person you’re naming your dog after if you choose to go with a human name. Despite your good intentions, not everyone might welcome the idea.
Don’t:
- Don’t rush into naming your dog. Just take it slow and give it time. You might want to include your family, kids, or partner in the brainstorming process.
- Don’t choose a name that has more than three syllables. It’s too complicated for your dog to process. Don’t give up a name you love because it’s too long, though. Instead, shorten it to an easier nickname. Win-win!
- Don’t choose a name that you might not feel comfortable calling out in public.
- Don’t go for a name that your dog might confuse with simple commands. So, avoid any names that rhyme with come, heel, stay, or sit. You may also want to avoid names that are similar to another family member’s name.
- Don’t pick a name that’s overused. It’s best for your dog’s name to stand out from the crowd, especially in the dog park.
- Don’t pick a name that you haven’t thought through. You might think a certain name is funny, but for some, it could be offensive, inappropriate, or crude.
“Zero” – The Famous Dog Character

It’s surprising how popular a dog’s name can get after being featured in a Hollywood movie.
I don’t think the name “Zero” was even considered a pet name before 1993. That’s the year when Tim Burton’s movie “The Nightmare Before Christmas” was released.
It’s a classic Halloween and Christmas movie. I mean, who doesn’t remember “Zero,” Jack Skellington’s ghost pet dog?
It’s an iconic dog. It’s spooky as well! It’s only a dog-shaped sheet, with hollow cutouts for the eyes and a pumpkin for a nose. He always followed Jack everywhere, just floating around.
It’s absolutely adorable when dogs are dressed as “Zero” for Halloween.
Conclusion
Dog names that start with the letter Z are very popular because they’ve got a ring to them. Plus, they’re buzzing with energy, and that is the kind of name most people are after.
No matter what name you choose for your little pup, it won’t change the fact that you now have a lifetime friend. Both of you are going to have so many happy memories. So, enjoy the ride.
Dog Names FAQ
Q: What’s the most popular dog name that starts with Z?
A: The most popular dog name that starts with Z is “Zeus.” It falls within the top 50 most popular male dog names year after year.
Q: Do dogs get confused after renaming them?
A: No, not for long. Renaming your dog is possible, and you can do it at any age.
In fact, if you adopted a dog that was removed from an abusive home, changing its name would be an act of kindness. That’s because, deep down, your dog might be associating the old name with abuse.
It might be a good idea to combine the old name with the new one until your dog gets used to it, then remove the old one. Additionally, make sure to always use treats as a reward when your dog responds to the new name.
Q: How long does it take for a dog to know its name?
A: Most puppies can pick their name really quickly within 1-3 days. Of course, it requires regular practice using your pup’s name more frequently. It also helps give your pup a treat every time it responds to the name.