How to say it
ZA · ra
ˈzɑr.ə
Feminine
Zara
Blooming, or 'princess'
What it means
Two roots converged: Arabic Zahra ('blooming, radiant') and Hebrew Zara (a variant of Sarah, 'princess'). The Zara fashion brand is the dominant English-language commercial anchor.
Zara has two roots that converged in modern English usage. The Arabic Zahra means 'blooming, radiant, shining' (the same root that gives Fatima al-Zahra, the Prophet Muhammad's daughter). The Hebrew Zara is a variant of Sarah ('princess'). The fashion brand Zara (founded 1975 in Spain by Amancio Ortega) is the dominant English-language commercial anchor. Zara Phillips (Princess Anne's daughter, born 1981) is the royal-family anchor. As a given name it's been climbing the US charts since 2010; it entered the top 300 in 2017. Single short forms aren't common.
How to spell Zara
The standard spelling is Zara. Common variants include Zahra, Zarah, but Zara is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #201 in 2022, currently #212 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
ZAR-ah in standard US English; ZAH-rah in Arabic. Both are accepted.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Zara (fashion brand) Spanish multinational clothing retailer, founded 1975
- Zara Phillips Princess Anne's daughter, equestrian Olympic medalist
Spelling variants
- Zahra
- Zarah
Names with the same feeling
See Zara from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Zara mean?
- Two roots converged: Arabic Zahra ('blooming, radiant') and Hebrew Zara (a variant of Sarah, 'princess'). The Zara fashion brand is the dominant English-language commercial anchor.
- What does Zara mean in Arabic?
- In Arabic, Zara means "Blooming, or 'princess'." Zara has two roots that converged in modern English usage. The Arabic Zahra means 'blooming, radiant, shining' (the same root that gives Fatima al-Zahra, the Prophet Muhammad's daughter). The Hebrew Zara is a variant of Sarah ('princess'). The fashion brand Zara (founded 1975 in Spain by Amancio Ortega) is the dominant English-language commercial anchor. Zara Phillips (Princess Anne's daughter, born 1981) is the royal-family anchor. As a given name it's been climbing the US charts since 2010; it entered the top 300 in 2017. Single short forms aren't common.
- How do you pronounce Zara?
- Zara is pronounced ˈzɑr.ə. Say it as ZA-ra, with the stress on the "za" syllable.
- How do you spell Zara?
- The standard spelling is Zara. Common spelling variants include Zahra, Zarah.
- Is Zara a boy or girl name?
- Zara is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Zara?
- Zara ranked #212 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.