Rising since 1986, #1,285 for girls today.
Popularity of Zahara since 1986
Babies named Zahara per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 30 |
| 1990s | 114 |
| 2000s | 808 |
| 2010s | 1,538 |
| 2020s | 1,119 |
Meaning & origin
Zahara entered U.S. naming records in 1986 and has been steadily climbing in popularity ever since. In 2025 it ranked 1285th, with about 1 in 9237 newborn girls receiving the name. Its peak popularity occurred in 2022, reflecting a broader trend of Arabic-origin names gaining visibility. The name is most popular in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, suggesting strong usage in diverse urban and suburban communities. Zahara's soft sound and luminous meaning have contributed to its appeal among parents seeking a name with both cultural depth and contemporary style.
Zahara derives from the Arabic root ظ-ه-ر (ẓ-h-r), conveying the meanings of 'to shine,' 'to blossom,' or 'to be radiant.' It is related to the feminine name Zahra, which also means 'flower' or 'blossom.' The name has been used across the Arabic-speaking world and gained broader international familiarity in the 21st century.
Where Zahara is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Zahara” around the world
Where Zahara lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zara, Zari, Hara
Sibling names for Zahara
Names that share Zahara's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Leila, Amara, Nadia, Samira, Zara, Aalayah, Akeelah, Amani, Chenoa, Dasani, Imani, Jahaira, Jahzara, Jamilah, Latifah, Mecca, Nahomi, Nairobi, Rasheeda, Sahara, Shamira, Yadhira, Zaniya, Zulema, Ahtziri, Alayiah, Amerah, Belkis, Damiya, Havilah, Islah, Jakara, Jazara, Kalilah, Makeba, Malaia, Malikah, Naeemah, Naylani, Nefertari, Nigeria, Rakiya, Shakila, Shalimar, Tahirah, Tanzania, Wenona, Yahira, Yashira, Zamaria, Zamaya, Zanyah, Zemirah, Zuleika, Zuleima, Afrika, Ahtziry, Aissa, Aqueelah, Arabia, Ariellah, Chakira, Dahiana, Dayanira, Harmani, Jahayra, Jajaira, Jeilani, Kadeja, Kamaiya, Kamoura, Kenyada, Kenyana, Kenyata, Khalyla, Khamora, Masiyah, Nazari, Naziyah, Niambi, Nzinga, Sahari, Shahara, Shakari, Shakura, Shamirah, Tahari, Wateen, Xiamara, Yamira, Yitzel, Zakyah, Zamantha, Zaveah, Zendayah, Zulay, Kelahni, Khaloni, Lilianah, Sakara, Aalliyah, Aasiyah, Akeema, Azaliyah, Azyria, Cahlani, Desyre, Ismahan, Ithzel, Jahara, Jahnyla, Jalaila, Jalexus, Jamelah, Jehieli, Jemila, Kadija, Kalanii, Kaylahni, Kinshasa, Malaka, Nahara, Nahlani, Navada, Nuriyah, Quaniya, Ramla, Rashada, Rehema, Sacheen, Saharah, Saleemah, Shakinah, Shakirra, Shikira, Somalia, Tanganyika, Xiadani, Yazaira, Zakara, Zakyra, Zamorah, Zamyia, Zeniya, Zeriyah, Zuleica
Brothers: Zayn, Amir, Khalil, Rafi, Jamil, Amauri, Jamaal, Jamir, Kamari, Rasheem, Abisai, Adael, Azazel, Bashir, Jabriel, Jahmel, Jahseh, Jamahl, Jeziel, Maalik, Malakhai, Malick, Maliki, Rahiem, Sekou, Shakim, Abdiaziz, Altariq, Askia, Azarion, Bakari, Dezmin, Jahkeem, Jahmier, Jamol, Jawanza, Karriem, Kemet, Malekai, Mansa, Shabazz, Tabari, Tahmir, Yetzael, Zabian, Zakarie, Bomani, Dahir, Axavier, Azekiel, Guled, Jabaree, Jabreel, Jahking, Jahmad, Jamarea, Juma, Malahki, Marqueze, Muscab, Nasiir, Shamal
