Get

In Your Inbox

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

Most Popular Cat Names That Start with Z: Popular Male & Female Ideas

Most Popular Cat Names That Start with Z

With so many options to name your cat, it helps to narrow down your list. Instead of starting at the beginning of the alphabet, why not start at the end with the letter Z? There are so many fun and unique names that start with Z, and we’ve got over one hundred options for you to pick from!

Whether you’re looking for something strong or feminine or based on famous movie characters, we’ve got them all. But first, let’s take a look at some of the most popular cat names that start with Z.

divider 3 paws

The 15 Most Popular Cat Names That Start with Z

1. Zelda

If you’re a gamer, you’ve heard of “The Legend of Zelda.” This name has risen in popularity due to the latest Zelda game, Tears of the Kingdom, which was released in May of 2023 by Nintendo. This action-adventure game is full of stunning landscapes, unique characters, disasters, and heroism.


2. Zora

Another name that has climbed in popularity this year due to the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is Zora. Zora isn’t a person in the game but rather the name of a tribe of aquatic beings that have fish and amphibian features. The Zora are a fan favorite because of their interesting appearance and personalities.


3. Zack

Zack is a popular name for humans and pets and is inspired by the popular ‘90s television show, Saved by the Bell. The sitcom follows six friends who attend the same school as they navigate life together. It was and is so popular because it focuses on real-world issues and is full of light-hearted comedy.

cat-wearing-super-hero-costume
Image By: Anton27, Shutterstock

4. Ziggy

Ziggy is one of the top names for male cats this year. Not only is Ziggy fun to say, but it is the name of a popular cartoon series that appears in newspapers, books, and greeting cards in America. The name Ziggy is also inspired by Ziggy Marley, who is the son of Bob Marley. Like his dad, he is also a successful musician.


5. Zeus

If you’re looking for a strong name for your cat, Zeus is worth considering. Zeus is the name of the god of the sky and thunder in Greek mythology and is a character in many popular movies, such as Thor: Love and Thunder, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Hercules, Immortals, Clash of the Titans, and many others.


6. Zeke

Ezekiel is the 33rd most popular name in the US for boys, and Zeke is the shortened form of Ezekiel, which is commonly used on its own for cats. It means “God strengthens” and can be a reminder for many cat owners to find strength in their faith. For massive football fans, Zeke could be used as a cat name inspired by Ezekiel Elliott, who went by the nickname Zeke.


7. Zorro

Zorro is a masked vigilante who has appeared in over 40 films, many TV series, and several comic books and has even made it onto the stage in plays. Some of the most popular Zorro movies are The Legend of Zorro and The Mask of Zorro. If you’ve got a daredevil of a cat, Zorro could be the perfect name for them.

grey-cat-wearing-black-superhero-cape-and-mask
Image credit: Andrey_Kuzmin, Shutterstock

8. Zuko

Zuko is a character from an animated television series called Avatar: The Last Airbender on Nickelodeon. Zuko is a firebender who is on a mission to capture the Avatar but changes his mind along the way and ends up overthrowing his father instead. In Japanese, Zuko means “reason,” but it means “glory” in the Xhosa language, making it a diverse yet short and snappy cat name.


9. Zeppelin

The name Zeppelin is inspired by the German inventor Ferdinand von Zeppelin, who created an airship that was named after him. Although these crafts aren’t as common today, they are used for advertising and a few other purposes. This name can be used for male and female cats and is fitting for adventurous personality types.


10. Zaza

The Hebrew meaning of this name is “movement” or “light,” which has a very positive feel about it. It is also commonly used as a nickname for Elizabeth, which has become a popular cat name on its own.


11. Zion

Zion is the name for the Promised Land in the Bible, which has become a symbol of peace and safety. It is also popular amongst basketball fans thanks to player Zion Williamson. It has commonly been used for male cats and can be given to female cats, especially if they have strong and confident personalities that match the name well.

Ragdoll kitten with a ball
Image Credit: Serita Vossen, Shutterstock

12. Zippy

Is there a better name for an energetic cat than Zippy? This name describes an active, bouncy, frisky, lively cat best because it means “full of energy.” Zippy is also the name of a puppet on the children’s show, Rainbow. He, too, is loud and energetic.


13. Zazu

Those who grew up watching The Lion King will remember Zazu as an uptight voice of reason to Simba, who sang catchy songs and was an easy target due to his small size. Naming your cat after this unforgettable character will bring much nostalgia and happy memories.


14. Zen

To be Zen is to be in a state of calmness, so if you’ve got a kitty that prefers naps over anything else, this might be the perfect name for them. This name is simple, easy to say, and can even be used as a nickname for Zenith.


15. Zero

Zero is a name that comes straight out of the movie The Night Before Christmas. This character is a ghost dog who is a loyal companion to his owner, the Pumpkin King, and a symbol of hope in the movie. So, if you’ve got a loyal companion in your furry friend, be inspired by Zero and name your kitty after him.

cat distracting owner from working
Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

divider 1 paws

Other Great Names That Start with Z

We’ve gone into detail with some of the most popular Z names, but there are many more names to consider. Below, you have a variety of short, long, unique, funny, feminine, and masculine names to look through to find the best Z name for your cat.

Male Cat Names That Start with Z

  • Zander
  • Zeddicus
  • Zippo
  • Zoloft
  • Zuni
  • Zerek
  • Zephyr
  • Zane
  • Zee
  • Zito
  • Zahir
  • Zeunert
  • Zues
  • Zach
  • Zachariah
  • Zio
  • Zipper
  • Zeek
  • Zulu
  • Zinger
  • Zipfer
  • Zip
  • Zaboo
  • Zinko
  • Zig
  • Zac
  • Zim
  • Zick
  • Zhuzhu
  • Zeppy
  • Zaney
  • Zoidberg
  • Zigzag
  • Ziploc
  • Zoomie
  • Zeppo
  • Zork
  • Zachary
  • Zeo
  • Zed
  • Zucchini
  • Zircon
  • Zap
  • Zissou
  • Zimba
  • Zodiac
  • Zavier
  • Zeb
  • Zuriel
  • Zappa
  • Zanzibar
  • Zephan
  • Zico
  • Zeisner
  • Zenith
  • Zeca
  • Zeno
  • Zak
  • Zorba
  • Zimi
  • Zaine
  • Zin
  • Zaphod

divider 1 paws

Female Cat Names That Start with Z

siamese cat sitting on a wooden table outdoors
Image Credit: Andreas Lischka, Pixabay
  • Zoe
  • Zara
  • Zoom
  • Zuzu
  • Zhara
  • Zielona
  • Zesty
  • Zola
  • Ziva
  • Ziena
  • Zivu
  • Zamie
  • Zera
  • Zamia
  • Ziga
  • Zaria
  • Zoa
  • Zayda
  • Zeena
  • Zila
  • Zirconia
  • Zui
  • Zatanna
  • Zarah
  • Zummer
  • Zanie
  • Zorra
  • Zozo
  • Zena
  • Zebra
  • Zumi
  • Zimmer
  • Zooey
  • Zazzy
  • Zoie
  • Zuri
  • Ziena
  • Zadie
  • Zazzles
  • Zoja
  • Zia
  • Zuma
  • Zama
  • Zumba
  • Zizzi
  • Zira
  • Zsa Zsa
  • Ziti
  • Zombie
  • Zima
  • Zana
  • Zinnia
  • Zula
  • Zahara
  • Zimbra
  • Zowie
  • Zahra
  • Zeva
  • Ziccer
  • Zuki
  • Zita
  • Zella
  • Zoya
  • Zoey
  • Zo
  • Zeba
  • Zaya
  • Zelene
  • Zilla

divider 3 paws

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a unique name for your cat, looking at Z names is a good place to start. There are many Z names that are increasing in popularity thanks to video games, television series, and movies. Other names are popular because of the way they sound or because of their meaning.

We’ve listed over one hundred different Z names for you to look through so you can be inspired on your exciting journey of finding the right name for your cat.


Featured Image Credit: Elisa Putti, Shutterstock

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

How useful was this post?

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

Help us improve Catster 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

Can a Q-Tip Help a Cat in Heat? (Vet Answer)

Cats that have not been spayed cycle through a fertile period every 14–21 days during the breeding season.1 This is called being “in...

What Is Cat Grass? Vet-Reviewed Benefits, Safety & Growing Tips

You may have seen your outdoor cat nibbling on the grass outside and wondered what they were up to. Many cats enjoy eating...

How Often Should I Feed My Cat? Vet-Reviewed Considerations & Tips

Next to feeding your cat just the right amount, you should also concern yourself with how often to feed your feline. There isn’t...

Can Dogs Smell Cats? Canine Senses Explained (Vet-Verified)

Dogs have a very keen sense of smell. Therefore, it makes sense that dogs would be able to detect the scent of cats...

More related

How Much Does a Cat Cost? 2025 Price Guide

If you’ve been dreaming of adding a cat or kitten to your family, it’s a good idea to take a look at how...

Has Your Cat Food Gone Bad? 8 Vet Reviewed Signs to Look For

Cat food manufacturers follow strict guidelines to produce safe products, but after they leave the factory, they can become damaged or improperly handled...

Should I Let My Cat Sleep With Me? Vet-Reviewed Pros & Cons

Having cats sleep on their owners’ beds is an ongoing debate. There are some benefits to having your bed sleep on your bed...

Can Cats Eat Celery? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Celery is a popular chips-and-dip accompaniment, and while your cat definitely shouldn’t have the chips or the dip, what about the celery itself?...

Keep reading

Do Cats Like Head Massages? The Interesting Answer

Felines are intriguing animals that have myriad ways that they like to interact with us humans. While all cats are different, many pet cats love head massages. Not only do they enjoy the physical interaction and motion of the massage,...

cat sleeping on owner's lap

Why Does My Cat Sleep on My Head? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Cats have all sorts of odd (and sometimes annoying behaviors), which sometimes include sleeping on people’s heads. Though most pet owners don’t seem to find this behavior, others find it difficult to understand why their cat is choosing to sleep...

woman-sleeping-with-her-cat

How Far Away Can Cats Smell Catnip? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Compared to humans, cats have a superior sense of smell, sometimes able to detect scents as far as 1.5 to 4 miles away . In fact, a cat’s sense of smell is 14 times more accurate than our own. However,...

cat smelling catnip

Bombay Cat Health Problems: 5 Common Issues

The Bombay Cat is an adorable medium to large cat with sleek and short black hair. They’re a mix between the Burmese and American Shorthair. Bombay cats are a generally healthy breed that is also athletic and surprisingly heavy due...

Catster_Health Problems of Bombay Cat

Does Alcohol Kill Fleas on Cats? Vet-Reviewed Effectiveness & Safety Explored

Disclaimer: The information about these products has been fact-checked by one of our licensed veterinarians, but the purpose of this post is not to diagnose illness or prescribe treatment. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the...

isopropyl alcohol

10 Best Flea Treatments for Cats (2025) – Reviews & Top Picks

Fleas are a pesky part of owning a cat. They can pop up at practically any point, even if your cat spends all their time inside. Once you have an infestation, they are very hard to get rid of. They...

Man in gloves holds medicine

Do Cats Protect Their Owners? Vet-Verified Facts & Signs

When we think of protective pets, we tend to think of dogs. However, cats may exhibit behaviors that appear protective when they perceive a threat to themselves or their family. While their small size typically means they rely more on...

Abyssinian cat on a man's shoulder

Are Forget-Me-Nots Toxic to Cats? Vet-Reviewed Houseplants Examined

If you’re a flower fanatic, you have undoubtedly seen and adored the lovely forget-me-not. Woodland forget-me-nots (Myosotis sylvatica) are a species of perennial plants with stunning blue flowers. Fans of forget-me-nots prize the delicate flowers with white or yellow eyes....

Catster_Are Forget-Me-Nots Toxic to Cats