Dushra

Dushra is a given name that appears in several South Asian and Middle Eastern contexts. It is used both for females and, less frequently, for males, and is sometimes found as a surname. The name is typically written in English as “Dushra,” and in native scripts it may appear as دشرا in Urdu, دشرا in Persian, or दुष्रा in Hindi.

The etymology of Dushra is uncertain, but linguistic scholars suggest it may derive from a combination of classical Persian roots meaning “second” or “next,” combined with a suffix denoting a feminine form. In some folkloric traditions, the name is linked to the notion of “new dawn” or “fresh start,” reflecting a hopeful outlook. The name's usage is less common than related names such as Dushmani or Dushari, but it maintains a distinct identity in families that adopt it.

In contemporary settings, Dushra is occasionally encountered in Bollywood film credits, Pakistani television dramas, and regional literary works. The name has also been adopted by diaspora communities in North America and Europe, where it is often presented as a marker of cultural heritage.

Notable individuals bearing the name include Dushra Sultana, a Bangladeshi singer known for her contributions to classical and folk music, and Dushra Khan, a Pakistani journalist recognized for investigative reporting on rural development. Academic references to Dushra appear in anthologies of South Asian names and in studies of linguistic patterns within Urdu poetry. The name remains a relatively rare but meaningful choice in multicultural societies.