Zara Name Meaning

Zara is a girl’s name meaning "radiance." The name Zara has multiple origins, but most notably it is a variation of Zahrah, a name derived from Arabic roots meaning “blooming flower.”

Zara is also considered to be a diminutive of the Bulgarian name Zaharina, a feminine form of the masculine name Zechariah, a Hebrew name meaning "God remembers."

Zara is also the name of a well-known Spanish-owned clothing retailer. But that doesn’t take away from the charm of this beautiful and somewhat uncommon name.

Read on to learn about the name Zara, its popularity, variations, and famous people with the name.

How Popular Is the Name Zara?

The name Zara has grown increasingly popular in the US since the early 2000s, when it first appeared in the top 1,000 names for girls. According to the Social Security Administration, its top position was in 2022, when it reached 201. 

The name Zara is commonly used in Australia, England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, where it regularly ranks in the top 100 names.

Its popularity in the UK is likely linked to the fact that Princess Anne broke royal tradition and gave her daughter this Arabic name in 1981, thus boosting the name Zara into instant upper-class status.

Name Variations

For those considering the name Zara, you might also like some of the following variations: 

• Zarah
• Zaira
• Zahara
• Zahra
• Zahrah

Similar Names

If you like the name Zara, you might also appreciate some of these similar names:

• Cara (Irish origin; English)
• Isla (Scottish origin)
• Mara (Hebrew)
• Sadie (Hebrew)
• Sara (Hebrew) 
• Sarah (Hebrew)
• Sarai (Hebrew)
• Seira (Japanese origin)
• Tara (Irish)
• Violet (Latin origin)
• Zora (Slavic)

Other girls' names starting with Z:

• Zain
• Zaina
• Zaria
• Zendaya
• Zia
• Zina
• Zoe
• Zuri
• Zyla
• Zyra

Zara is believed to be a variation of the Arabic name Zahrah. Here are some other Arabic baby names for girls, along with their meanings: 

• Alia (from heaven)
• Elham (inspiring)
• Farah (joy)
• Iesha (one who is alive)
• Jamila (gorgeous woman)
• Kamaria (the moon)
• Lina (little palm tree)
• Lupe (from the wolves river)
• Nura (filled with light)
• Salma (safe and peaceful)

Common Nicknames for Zara

The name Zara might lead to the following baby nicknames:

• Zar: The name Zar is a boy’s name with Burmese, Sanskrit, and Persian roots. It means "lace" and "neighbor." It’s short and sweet, and it’s an obvious go-to for someone named Zara. 
• Zee: This is the American pronunciation of the letter Z. This is a super cute way to shorten the name Zara. 

Suggested Sibling Names for Zara

Are you looking for some names that pair well with Zara? Perhaps you'll find the perfect sibling name here:

• Ada (German name) 
• Belle (French name)
• Finley (Scottish) 
• Ivy (English, Latin)
• Kenzie (Scottish) 
• Kane (Hawaiian name)
• Kaia (Greek)
• Lanah (Hawaiin) 
• Maeve (Irish, Gaelic name)
• Meena (Hindi name, Sanskrit)
• Max (German) 
• Nixon (English, Scottish, Irish)
• Rylan (English)
• Shea (Irish)
• Zack (Hebrew)

Famous People Named Zara

Here is a list of well-known people named Zara from around the world:

• Zara Abid, Pakistani model
• Zara Aldana, Filipina celebrity
• Zara Bate, Australian fashion designer
• Zara Cully, American actor
• Zara Davis, English windsurfer
• Zara Dawson, English actor and television presenter
• Zara Larsson, Swedish singer
• Zara Levina, Ukrainian pianist and composer
• Zara Noor Abbas, Pakistani actor
• Zara Nelsova, Canadian cellist
• Zara Northover, Jamaican shot putter
• Zahra Rock, Comedian Chris Rock’s daughter
• Zara Tindall (Phillips), equestrian, olympian, daughter of Princess Anne