Poly(vinyl alcohol)-zirconium compound hybrid nanofibers (precursors) were formed by electrospinning employing water as a solvent for the spinning solution. The precursors were converted into oxide (ZrO2), carbide (ZrC) or nitride (ZrN) nanofibers by heating them in air, Ar or N-2 atmospheres. Monoclinic ZrO2 nanofibers with high-specific surface area were obtained by heat-treatment of the precursors in air. ZrC and ZrN nanofibers could be obtained below theoretical temperatures calculated from thermodynamics data.