Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

81 Dog Names That Start with Z for Your Zesty Pup

Dogster_Names Starting with Z

For many dog owners, choosing an original name is challenging, but what better way to pick a unique name for your dog than to pick a name that starts with a unique letter? If you followed the same train of thought, you probably thought of the letter Z pretty quickly.

Z is a letter used rarely in the English language, which makes it the perfect choice for a dog’s name. Luckily for you, we’ve assembled a list of 81 dog names, beginning with Z, that should help you name your pup.

divider dog paws oct 2024

Male Dog Names That Start with Z

Let’s start with the basics. If you’re welcoming a good boy into your home, you might have some ideas in mind for names. When you don’t know much about the dog’s personality, you can always fall back on names for boy dogs.

  • Zeus
  • Zillah
  • Zion
  • Zack
  • Zolt
  • Zeb
  • Zeke
  • Zavier
  • Zaynab
  • Zo
  • Zay
  • Zelus
  • Zetes
  • Zhao
mini goldendoodle puppy dog running outdoors
Image Credit: SoySendra, Shutterstock

Female Dog Names That Start with Z

Now it’s the Good Girls’ turn. Just like with male dogs, if you don’t know much about your new dog’s personality, you can give them a name based on their sex. If a female dog will be entering your home soon, this list of names is for you.

  • Zoey
  • Zorra
  • Zotti
  • Zu
  • Ziva
  • Zia
  • Zuni
  • Zendaya
  • Zeita
  • Zuki
  • Zella
  • Zelllie
  • Zofia
  • Zayda
  • Zhi

Dog Names That Start with Z for Energetic Dogs

Most dogs love to run and play. Nothing makes them happier than moving around and expending as much energy as possible by playing catch, going for walks, and bolting through your house as fast as possible. If that sounds like your furry friend, this list of names is ideal.

  • Zippy
  • Zippo
  • Zipper
  • Zip
  • Ziggy
  • Zig Zag
  • Zoom
  • Zoomy
  • Zoomer
  • Zap
  • Zapper
  • Zebra
bi-blue sheltie outdoors
Image Credit: an.acton, Shutterstock

Dog Names That Start with Z for Laidback Dogs

In contrast to the previous entry, maybe your furry friend isn’t fond of running and playing and prefers to lie next to you on the couch. Some dogs get the most delight out of lounging around, tucking themselves under a blanket, and curling up by a fire. This list of names is made with those pups in mind.

  • Zephyr
  • Zen
  • Zombie
  • Zleepy
  • Zodiac

Dog Names That Start with Z that Come from Pop Culture

Turning to pop culture can be a good solution if you want to name your dog after your interests, but nothing comes to mind.  You can get ideas from literature, films, and video games. If you want to name your dog after a well-known character, this list is for you.

  • Zorro
  • Zero
  • Zazu
  • Zelda
  • Zatanna
  • Zatara
  • Zeppelin
  • Zim
  • Zeff
  • Zolo
  • Zemo
  • Zaphod
  • Zangief
  • Zira
  • Zuri
  • Zurg
east-european-laika-running-in-the-snow
Image Credit: zoyas2222, Shutterstock

Exotic Dog Names that Start with Z

If you’re after a unique-sounding dog name, it might be good to turn to other languages. While words beginning with Z might not be common in English, they are in others. Below is a list of non-English names for your dog and translations so you know what they mean.

  • Zayn, Arabic for “beautiful”
  • Zahur, Swahili for “flower” or “blossom”
  • Zeno, Greek for “living”
  • Zenas, a female form of Zeno
  • Zane, the Greek form of Shane
  • Zeira, Aramaic for “small”
  • Zeki, Turkish for “clever”
  • Zeheb, Turkish for “gold”
  • Zeeman, Dutch for “sailor”
  • Zeev, Hebrew for “wolf”
  • Zaki, Arabic for “smart”
  • Zenanda, Persian for “queen”
  • Zalmir, Hebrew for “songbird”
  • Zahlee, Austrian for “princess”
  • Zada, Arabic for “good fortune”
  • Zeita, Romanian for “goddess”
  • Zeta, Greek and Hebrew for “Z”
  • Zahaak, Persian for “dragon”
isabella-fawn-dachshund-standing-in-the-park
Image Credit: Annette Shaff, Shutterstock

divider single dog paw oct 2024

How to Name Your Dog

Every dog owner wants to ensure their dog has a great name, but they may need help to come up with one. One way is to focus on your pup’s personality. Perhaps they’re incredibly energetic, so you name them something that reflects, or maybe they’re the opposite and are very laid back and calm.

However, you can also consider your interests when developing a list of possible names. Are you a bookworm or a cinephile? If you are, you can look for inspiration in movies and books for the perfect title for your new pup.

divider dog paws oct 2024

Closing Thoughts

You’ve seen names for energetic and laidback dogs, male and female dogs, and you’ve seen names from pop culture and foreign languages. Hopefully, after reading this article, you have the perfect name in mind when your furry friend arrives, and if you still don’t, you probably have a few ideas. Welcoming a new dog into your home is an unforgettable experience, and we’re confident your new pet will become a loving family member, regardless of the name you choose.

You Might Also Be Interested In:


Featured Image Credit: Mary Swift, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

300+ Dog Names Starting With L for Your Loving Pup

Adding a new dog to your life means picking out an awesome name for said dog. This might seem easy enough at first...

Dogster_Names Starting with L

210 Dog Names Starting With N for Your Naughty Pup!

Dogs don’t get the nuances, meanings, and representations that we humans focus on when naming them. As long as they’re called the same...

Dogster_Names Starting with N

250 Dog Names Starting With W for Your Wonderful Pup

When preparing for bringing home a new dog, many people focus on purchasing the right supplies and coming up with a housetraining game...

Dogster_Names Starting with W

250+ Dog Names Starting With K: Great Ideas for Your New Pup

Choosing a name for your new canine family member may seem easy; pick a name you like the sound of and that’s that!...

Dogster_Names Starting with K

More related

Dogster_Names Starting with R

140 Dog Names Starting With R for a Remarkable Pup

If you have just adopted a new dog into your family and are looking for great name ideas, you have come to the...

Greek Dog Names

200 Greek Dog Names: Historical & Unique Ideas

Are you the lucky new parent of a lovable canine? Now comes the fun part—finding the perfect name. It’s no easy task! Consider...

Dogster_Names Starting with T

300+ Dog Names Starting With T for Your Terrific Pup

Naming your dog is such an exciting task! When you decide on a category, such as names starting with “T,” it’s only a...

Dogster_Old Fashioned Names

100+ Old Fashioned Dog Names: Vintage Options for Your Pup

Finding the right name for your new pet is one of the first trials pet owners face. When you think you’ve landed on...

Keep reading

Nulo Puppy Food Review 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary Nulo Dog Food focuses on high-protein recipes with low carbs and low glycemic ingredients. This independently owned company is based out of Austin, Texas, with facilities in Nebraska, Kansas, and North Dakota. All facilities are approved by the...

Dogster_Nulo Puppy Food Review

11 Best Dry Dog Foods for Large Dogs in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

The market is flooded with hundreds of different dog food brands, all of which are advertising that they’re the healthiest and best fit for your dog. Finding a good brand of dog food is a challenge regardless of what type...

blue fawn pitbull eatin dry kibble from a bowl

How to Measure Dog Food Portions Based on Breed Size & Weight

Simple as it may sound, measuring dog food portions accurately is an art. According to a 2019 study, improperly measuring your dog’s food can result in health consequences, including nutritional deficiencies and obesity. Obesity affects around 25–30% of dogs, with...

measures a portion of dry dog food using an electronic scale

Can Dogs Eat Carrot Cake? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Safe Recipes

We are all well aware that human foods can be harmful to dogs. Some just don’t have any health benefits for canines, while others are highly toxic to them, including many sweet treats. Dogs shouldn’t eat carrot cake, though if...

Can Dogs Eat Carrot Cake

Can Dogs Eat Hemp Seeds? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

There are many highly nutritious superfoods on the market that we add to our diets daily, and we may consider doing the same for our dogs. Hemp seeds are a popular human superfood, and hemp-based products are now thriving in...

Can Dogs Eat_Hemp Seeds

10 Best Dog Foods for Shih Poos in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

If you have a Shih Poo, you know all about little dog preferences and demands. All pup owners want the best for their pooch—big or small. But diet needs change depending on body structure—just like with humans. So, we have...

shih poo sitting on a grass

Raw vs Cooked Dog Food: Vet-Reviewed Pros, Cons & What to Choose

One of the most common questions that people ask when it comes to their dogs is what kind of food to feed them. There is a great deal of debate regarding raw versus cooked dog food. Some people believe that...

Dogster_Raw VS Cooked Food

8 Best Dog Foods for Boston Terriers in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Boston Terriers are affectionate and loving dogs that make wonderful family pets. Their tuxedo black-and-white markings have given them the nickname the “American Gentleman.” If you own one of these dogs, you know how amazing they are and you want...

boston terrier dog eating from white bowl