Zara
Zara first appears in US records in 1896. It peaked in 2022, when 1,441 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 1,432.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Zara popular?
Near its peak Zara is more popular now than at almost any point on record, peaking in 2022.
| 2020s | 8,239 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 8,367 | |
| 2000s | 2,542 | |
| 1990s | 709 | |
| 1980s | 354 | |
| 1970s | 200 | |
| 1960s | 59 | |
| 1950s | 67 | |
| 1940s | 76 | |
| 1930s | 59 | |
| 1920s | 107 | |
| 1910s | 112 | |
| 1900s | 29 | |
| 1890s | 10 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Zara mean?
In Arabic use Zara is most credibly a form of Zahra (root z-h-r), meaning 'flower/blossom' or 'radiant'. The name is genuinely cross-cultural and the origin is disputed: it also appears independently in Hebrew (sometimes linked, with weak support, to Sarah or to a root meaning 'to shine') and in Slavic and Spanish/Italian naming traditions, so the meaning depends on the family's background.
Names like Zara
arabic names with a similar feel and popularity.
Names that pair well with Zara
Popular arabic names for a sibling or a middle name.
Compare Zara
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Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zara mean?
Zara means Flower; radiance (as a form of Zahra). In Arabic use Zara is most credibly a form of Zahra (root z-h-r), meaning 'flower/blossom' or 'radiant'. The name is genuinely cross-cultural and the origin is disputed: it also appears independently in Hebrew (sometimes linked, with weak support, to Sarah or to a root meaning 'to shine') and in Slavic and Spanish/Italian naming traditions, so the meaning depends on the family's background.
What is the origin of the name Zara?
Zara is of arabic origin.
How do you pronounce Zara?
Zara is pronounced “ZAH-rah.”
Is Zara a boy or a girl name?
Zara is most commonly used as a girl name.
Is Zara a popular name right now?
Zara is more popular now than at almost any point on record, peaking in 2022.
How popular is the name Zara?
In 2025, Zara ranked #212 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Zara most popular?
Zara was most popular in 2022, when about 1,441 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What names are similar to Zara?
Names similar to Zara include Zora, Layla, Aaliyah, Amara.
What names go well with Zara?
arabic names that pair well with Zara include Adam, Layla, Aaliyah, Malik, Amir.