"princess, noblewoman"
Zarah
Pronunciation: [ z-AR-uh ]
Radiant and royal across two great traditions
Meaning & Origin
"flower, blossom, radiance"
"brightness, dawn light"
The Story of Zarah
Zarah is a variant spelling of Zara, which draws from two ancient traditions. In Hebrew the root relates to 'princess' (from sar, meaning chief or noble) and also appears in the Bible as Zerah meaning 'brightness' or 'rising of light.' In Arabic, Zahra means 'flower' or 'to blossom' and 'radiance.' This convergence gives Zarah layered meaning across Hebrew and Islamic traditions.
The Zara/Zarah spelling has grown with the global fashion brand Zara (founded 1975) and the high profile of Zara Tindall, Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter and Olympic equestrian. Parents embrace it as a chic, international alternative to the more common Sarah.
In Islamic tradition, Fatimah al-Zahra (the Radiant) is a title of the Prophet Muhammad's daughter, making Zahra/Zarah a name of deep spiritual significance for Muslim families worldwide. In East African Swahili cultures the name is widely beloved.
Fun Facts
- Zara Tindall is Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter and a two-time World Equestrian Champion
- The Arabic root 'Zahra' (radiance/flower) is also a name for the planet Venus in Arabic astronomy
Zarah in Other Languages
Famous People Named Zarah
Zara Larsson
Musician
1997
Swedish pop singer and songwriter who became a global star with hits like Lush Life and Never Forget You
Zarah Leander
Actor
1907
Swedish actress and singer who was one of the biggest European film stars of the late 1930s
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,388
- Total SSA Count
- 162
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Arabic English East African
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Zarah
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About the Name Zarah
Zarah is a girl name with Hebrew, Arabic, English, and East African origins . The name means "princess, noblewoman" in Hebrew .
Zarah is currently ranked #1,388 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Zarah has 2 syllables and is pronounced z-AR-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Zarah include Zar and Zee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Zarah include Zara . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.