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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

Female Cat Names That Start with Z

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.

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Featured Image Credit: Elisa Putti, Shutterstock