Origin, Meaning And History of Zahra
Zahra is a feminine form of the Arabic name Azhar, which means ‘beautiful,’ ‘bright,’ ‘shining,’ or ‘brilliant.’ It can also be transliterated as an alternative version of the Arabic name Zahrah, derived from a related root and means ‘blooming flower.’ The name Zahrah, in turn, originates from the Arabic word ‘Zahara,’ which signifies ‘to shine.’
According to some sources, Zahra is the appellation of Fatimah al-Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. She is highly regarded by Muslims and is considered a role model for women in Islam due to her wisdom, piety, and devotion to her family.
Outside of Islamic tradition, Zahra is commonly used as a last name in several regions, particularly Malta. The Ottoman Empire is credited for introducing this name to Albania, Bosnia, and Kosovo. Similarly, the Persian Empire’s influence in the Indian subcontinent led to the popularity of this name in that region as well.
In Arabic, Zahra is pronounced ‘zah-RA’ or ‘ZAH-rah’ and has several variations in different languages and cultures, including Zehra in Turkish and Urdu and Azahar in Spanish. Zahrah, Zara, and Zorah are some other variants of the name.
In the realm of fictional personas, Zahra Rashid is a notable fictional character who appears in the animated seriesGlitch Techsas a recurring character. She wears a hijab and is portrayed as a 17-year-old Arab-American who possesses strong problem-solving skills.
Zahra’s Blue Eyesis a Syrian-Iranian series that features a Palestinian girl named Zahra. Zahra is also the name of a Palestinian documentary film by Palestinian actor and film director Mohammad Bakri.
How To Pronounce Zahra?
Famous People With The Name Zahra
- Zahra AbdullaSomali-Finnish politician, was a member of the Helsinki City Council
- Zahra AhmadiBritish actress, best known for her role as Shabnam Masood in EastEnders
- Zahra Amir EbrahimiIranian-French actress, well known for her role as journalist Arezoo Rahimi in the thriller Holy Spider
- Zohra BensalemAlgerian international volleyball player, represented her country at the 2012 Summer Olympics
- Zahra MansouriMoroccan poet, best known for her work on The Poetry of Arab Women: A Contemporary Anthology
Zahra On The Popularity Chart
According to the US Social Security Administration data, Zahra’s popularity has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. Refer to the graphs below to better understand the name’s performance.
Popularity Over Time
Starting from the mid-1990s, Zahra’s popularity has been on a continuous rise. The graph below illustrates the growth of the name over the years.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The graph below depicts the dramatic changes in the name’s ranking. Take a look.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Zahra
If you loved the name Zahra but want to explore more options? Take a look at the list below for more options.
Popular Sibling Names For Zahra
Other Popular Names Beginning With Z
Names With Similar Meanings As Zahra
If you find the meaning associated with Zahra, here are some more suggestions with similar meanings you may consider.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Zahra
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Zahra?
The name Zahra means ‘shining’ and ‘blooming flower.’
2. What is the origin of the name Zahra?
Zahra has an Arabic origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Zahra?
Zahra is pronounced as zah-ra.
4. What does Zahra mean in Christianity?
Zahra is not a Christian name and does not have any equivalent in Christianity. It is an Arabic name that means ‘beautiful,’ ‘bright,’ ‘shining,’ or ‘brilliant.’
5. Is Zara and Zahra the same?
No, they sound similar and are close in meaning but do not mean the same. While Zahra means ‘bright,’ the name Zara means ‘radiance’ or ‘flower.’
6. Does Zahra have any specific symbolism or meaning in different cultures?
Yes, the name Zahra carries specific symbolism and meaning in various cultures. It also holds significance as the name of Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. In Persian, the spelling variant Zara translates to ‘flower.’
