Zarah

♀ Girl

Pronounced ZAIR-ah /ˈzɛər.ə/Low

Meaning: Blooming flower, brightness, radianceLow

In 30 seconds: Zarah is a variant spelling of Zara or Zarah, from the Arabic zahara meaning to blossom or shine, or from the Hebrew meaning brightness or dawn. It has a crisp, elegant sound that works across many cultures.

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Origin LowArabic, Hebrew

MeaningBlooming flower, brightness, radiance

U.S. rank (2024)#1391 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births162 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,804

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Zarah combines roots from Arabic zahara (to bloom or shine) and possibly Hebrew zerach (dawn, brightness). As a variant of Zara, it adds a slightly softer, more antique feel with the final h.

Zarah is used across Muslim, Jewish, and general communities as a variant of Zara. The added -h gives it a slightly more traditional or Middle Eastern look compared to the stripped-down Zara.

Did you know? Princess Zara Tindall (born 1981), daughter of Princess Anne and granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, brought the Zara spelling to royal prominence — and Zarah is the variant form with an added h.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name: Zara

Variations

ZaraZaaraZarahSara

Nicknames

ZarZee

Famous Bearers

★Zarah Leander (1907-1981)
Swedish singer and actress with a distinctive deep contralto voice, a major film star at Germany's UFA studio in the late 1930s

If you like Zarah…

Zara— Standard spelling of same name

Sara— Same sound different letter

Nadia— Arabic-origin feminine name of similar elegance

Farah— Arabic joy name of similar sound and brevity

Frequently Asked

What does Zarah mean?

Zarah means blooming flower, brightness, or radiance from the Arabic zahara and possibly Hebrew zerach meaning dawn.

Is Zarah the same as Zara?

Zarah is a variant spelling of Zara with an added h giving it a slightly more classical or Middle Eastern appearance.

How do you pronounce Zarah?

Zarah is pronounced ZAIR-ah with two syllables.

What names are similar to Zarah?

Similar names include Zara, Sara, Nadia, and Farah.