A novel fluorescent probe for Zn2+ has been designed and synthesized based on a dipicolylamine group connected by a benzimidazole amide backbone. A comprehensive analysis of the recognition ability of the probe towards metal ions was conducted by ultraviolet absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. Results demonstrated that the probe showed selective and sensitive fluorescence turn-on signaling behavior toward Zn2+ in HEPES buffered (pH = 7.4) aqueous solution. The detection limit of this probe was calculated to be 5.10 × 10-8 M for Zn2+. Fluorescent imaging inside HepG2 cells indicated potential application of the probe for detecting Zn2+ ions in living cell imaging.