"dawn, the bright place"
Origin: Hebrew (Tzorah)
Language: Hebrew
Zorah
Pronunciation: [ z-AWR-uh ]
Does Zorah flow with your last name?
A luminous name meaning dawn — lit by literary greatness
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Meaning & Origin
"flower, brightness"
Origin: Arabic (zahra)
Language: Arabic
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The Story of Zorah
Zorah (also spelled Zora) derives from the Hebrew Tzorah (צָרְעָה) meaning dawn or the bright place, and is connected to the Arabic root zahra (زهرة) meaning flower or brightness. In Hebrew scripture, Zorah was a city in the territory of Dan where Samson was born (Judges 13:2). The name has also been used in Slavic countries (particularly former Yugoslavia) as a form of the word for dawn, zora.
Zorah is part of the broader revival of Zo- names (Zoe, Zola, Zoey, Zora) that has been building since the 2000s. Zora Neale Hurston's enduring literary legacy has kept Zora/Zorah in cultural consciousness, and the growing interest in vintage, distinctive names has fueled its rise.
Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) is one of the most important American writers of the 20th century, author of Their Eyes Were Watching God. Her rediscovery in the 1970s (championed by Alice Walker) has made Zora a name with powerful literary and feminist associations in Black American culture.
Historical Record
Zorah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1999.
Over 470 babies have been named Zorah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Zorah is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #3,962 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Zorah was a biblical city in Canaan where the judge Samson was born
- Zora Neale Hurston wrote Their Eyes Were Watching God in just 7 weeks while on a field research trip in Haiti
- The Slavic word zora (dawn) is used in poetic and literary contexts across the Balkans
Zorah in Other Languages
Arabic
زهرة (Zahra, related)
Hebrew
צָרְעָה (Tzorah)
Serbian
Зора (dawn)
Bosnian/Croatian
Zora (dawn)
Popularity Over Time
#3,962
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Zorah
Z
Zora Neale Hurston
Writer
1891
African American author and anthropologist, wrote Their Eyes Were Watching God, a cornerstone of the Harlem Renaissance
Z
Zorah
Other
Biblical city in the territory of Dan, birthplace of the judge Samson (Judges 13:2)
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,962
- Total SSA Count
- 37
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Hebrew Slavic American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Zo
Rory
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Arabic heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Zorah
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Zorah
What does the name Zorah mean?
"dawn, the bright place" (from Hebrew (Tzorah)). "flower, brightness" (from Arabic (zahra)). Zorah (also spelled Zora) derives from the Hebrew Tzorah (צָרְעָה) meaning dawn or the bright place, and is connected to the Arabic root zahra (زهرة) meaning flower or brightness. In Hebrew scripture, Zorah was a city in the territory of Dan where Samson was born (Judges 13:2). The name has also been used in Slavic countries (particularly former Yugoslavia) as a form of the word for dawn, zora.
What is the origin of the name Zorah?
Zorah has Hebrew (Tzorah), Arabic (zahra), Arabic, Hebrew, Slavic, and American origins. In Hebrew (Tzorah), it means "dawn, the bright place". In Arabic (zahra), it means "flower, brightness".
Is Zorah a boy or girl name?
Zorah is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Zorah?
Zorah is pronounced z-AWR-uh.
How popular is the name Zorah?
Zorah is currently ranked #3962 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Zorah?
Common nicknames for Zorah include Rory.
What are good middle names for Zorah?
Popular middle name pairings include Zorah Mae, Zorah Belle, Zorah Grace, Zorah Louise, Zorah Wren, and Zorah Clare.
What are good sibling names for Zorah?
Names that pair well with Zorah as siblings include Mira, Cora, Jasper, Atticus, Senna, and Ezra.
How many syllables does Zorah have?
Zorah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Zorah a common or rare name?
Zorah is an uncommon name, ranked #3962 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Zorah?
Are there other spellings for Zorah?
Related spellings include Zora.
About the Name Zorah
Zorah is a girl name with Arabic, Hebrew, Slavic, and American origins . The name means "dawn, the bright place" in Hebrew (Tzorah) .
Zorah is currently ranked #3,962 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Zorah has 2 syllables and is pronounced z-AWR-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Zorah include Zo and Rory. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Zorah include Zora . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis