Zarah

Zarah is a feminine given name used in multiple cultures and languages. It is one of several spellings of a name that often appears in English-language contexts as a variant of Zara or Zahra. The name’s meaning and origin are not fixed, because different linguistic traditions contribute related forms.

In Arabic, the name Zahra (and by extension Zarah in its Anglicized spellings) is commonly associated with the word for flower or blossom, and by extension with beauty and radiance. This association makes Zahra a popular choice in many Arabic-speaking communities, and Zarah is used as a variant in non-Arabic contexts.

In Hebrew, a closely related form is Zerah, meaning “seed” or “offspring.” While Zarah is not the standard Hebrew form, some independent uses or adaptations in modern times may reflect this distant root, though the Arabic meaning remains the more widely cited influence for the modern given name.

Usage and distribution: Zarah appears in birth records in a range of countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and parts of the Middle East and South Asia. It is typically chosen for its melodic sound and positive associations rather than a single, uniform origin.

Variants and related names: Related names include Zara, Zahra, Zaria, and other transliterations such as Zahrah. These names share similar roots or phonetic patterns and are often used interchangeably in different cultures.

Notable bearers, fictional characters, or specific historical references vary by region and are not tied to a single definitive origin. The name Zarah therefore functions as a cross-cultural given name with multiple possible roots.