Zahra
ZAH-rah
Zahra comes from the Arabic zahrah (زهرة), meaning “flower” or “blooming,” and zāhirah, meaning “radiant” or “luminous.” The name holds deep significance in Islamic tradition as an epithet of Fatimah, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad.
Fatimah al-Zahra (“the radiant one”) is among the most revered women in Islam. This association has made Zahra one of the most popular girls’ names throughout the Muslim world for over a thousand years.
Zahra ranks No. 543 in 2024 with 556 births, its highest recorded position in the US. The name is rising as American parents discover its beauty across cultural lines.
What the name Zahra means
The name appears across North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and increasingly in Western countries. Its floral meaning makes it accessible to non-Arabic speakers who appreciate botanical names.
Two syllables—ZAH-rah—carry a luminous sound with an open, warm vowel pattern. The z opening gives it distinctiveness, while the soft -rah ending feels universally gentle.
Parents from diverse backgrounds choose Zahra for its elegance and multicultural appeal. The floral meaning resonates alongside names like Rose and Lily without sharing their ubiquity.
Variants include Zahrah (Arabic), Zara (simplified), Zohra (North African), and Zahira (elaborated). The Persian Zahra shares identical spelling but emphasizes the radiance meaning.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Zahra
Zahra - similar names
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