Zaira

♀ Girl

Pronounced ZY-rah /ˈzaɪ.rɑː/High

Meaning: Radiance; flower; from Arabic zahra (flower, radiance, to bloom) — a variant of Zara or ZahraHigh

In 30 seconds: A name meaning 'radiance' or 'flower' from Arabic zahra (to bloom, to shine) — a variant of Zahra and Zara. Also known through Voltaire's tragedy Zaïre (1732), in which the heroine Zaïre was a Christian slave in Jerusalem.

💕 Browse more names

Origin HighArabic, Hebrew

MeaningRadiance; flower; from Arabic zahra (flower, radiance, to bloom) — a variant of Zara or Zahra

U.S. rank (2024)#1233 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births190 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,760

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Zaira is a variant of Zahra (Arabic: flower, radiance) or may be influenced by Voltaire's Zaïre (1732). It is used in Italian, Spanish, and Arab communities. The name carries the Arabic root z-h-r (to bloom, to shine).

Zaira ranked #1233 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Voltaire's play Zaïre (1732) was one of the most successful plays of the 18th century — it ran for over 120 performances at the Comédie-Française and was Voltaire's attempt to rival Shakespeare's Othello with a similar tale of jealousy and religious conflict.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Zaira — Arabic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ZahraZaraZahira

Nicknames

ZaiZay

Famous Bearers

★Zaira Wasim (b. 2000)
Indian former actress who made her debut as the young Geeta Phogat in the acclaimed biographical sports film Dangal (2016).

If you like Zaira…

Zahra— the Arabic form meaning flower that Zaira derives from

Zara— the short form sharing the same Za- root

Sara— two-syllable name with the same clean, elegant quality

Samira— Arabic name with the same warm radiance

Explore names like Zaira

By themearabic two-syllable italian flower

By meaningLight Flower

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Zaira mean?

Zaira means 'radiance' or 'flower,' a variant of Arabic Zahra (to bloom, to shine).

How do you pronounce Zaira?

It's said ZY-rah — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Zaira a boy or girl name?

Zaira is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Zaira?

Zaira ranked #1233 for U.S. girls in 2024.