Zara
Female nameArabic
✨ Meaning
Zara is usually connected to the Arabic 'zahrah,' meaning flower or blossom, and to a related word meaning radiance or brightness. A separate line derives it from the Hebrew Zerah, meaning dawn or brightness, so both traditions converge on light and flowering. The name's two crisp syllables and open vowels have made it exceptionally portable.
🌍 Origin
Zara has been used in the Arab world for generations and entered wide British use in the 1980s, helped by its adoption in the royal family. It is also familiar as an Italian and Croatian place name, being the historical name of the Croatian city Zadar, though that is unrelated to the personal name.
📈 Popularity Trend
⭐ Famous People Named Zara
- Zara Larsson
- Zara Tindall
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does Zara mean?
Zara is usually read as 'flower' or 'radiance,' from the Arabic 'zahrah.' A Hebrew line gives 'dawn' or 'brightness.'
How is Zara pronounced?
Both ZAH-rah and ZAIR-ah are used in English, with the first closer to the Arabic.
Is Zara related to Sarah?
No. They are separate names with different roots, despite sounding somewhat similar.