Zahra

‘Flower’ or ‘blossom’ in the Arabic form زهرة.

Zahra is an Arabic feminine name meaning ‘flower’ or ‘blossom’ when written زهرة. It evokes flowers generally, rather than one particular species. That leaves room for a personal floral association while keeping the meaning simple and direct. The Latin spelling needs a little care: Zahra can also stand for زهراء, meaning ‘radiant’, whose Arabic ending and pronunciation differ. For the flower name, the pronunciation is /ˈzah.ra/, with the h sounded. The lively z opening gives Zahra an edge that balances its soft floral imagery. It can feel delicate without sounding overly sweet, an appealing combination if you like a nature name with a clearly defined consonant shape.

Etymology: An Arabic name taken from the flower word zahra, زهرة. The same Latin spelling can also represent the distinct form زهراء, ‘radiant’.