Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Zahira
GirlArabic· “shining, radiant”
- Meaning
- shining, radiant
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- zuh-HEER-uh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #3,709
- US babies 2025
- 41
- Best rank
- #2,689 (2008)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Zahira
Zahira is an Arabic name that means “shining, radiant”.
Zahira is an Arabic name meaning shining, radiant or blooming, the feminine form of Zahir. It comes from a root connected with brightness and flowering, which also gives Zahra, flower or radiant. The name is used across the Arab world and among Muslim families elsewhere, and it has some use in Spain, reflecting the long Arabic presence in al-Andalus. It is said zuh-HEER-uh or zah-HEE-rah. A separate Arabic word, zahir, meaning evident or apparent, comes from a different root, and Arabic script distinguishes the two. Zahra is the closest related name.
Popularity over time
Zahira first appears in US Social Security records in 1975. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,689 in 2008, the same year it reached its highest count of 69 babies. In 2025, 41 babies were named Zahira, and it ranked #3,709 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #12,153 in 1980, #7,570 in 2000, #3,158 in 2010, and #3,709 in 2025. Of the 1,226 US girls named Zahira since records began, 34% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 371 babies. Since 2010, 606 more have been named Zahira.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Eriana, Ixchel, Leasia, Aaliah, and Gaby.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Zahira ranked highest in Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #2625 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Zahira is usually pronounced zuh-HEER-uh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with Z and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Zahira
A few middle names that flow with Zahira: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Zahira
Similar names
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Lists that include Zahira
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zahira mean?
Zahira is an Arabic name that means “shining, radiant”.
What is the origin of the name Zahira?
Zahira has Arabic roots. Zahira is an Arabic name meaning shining, radiant or blooming, the feminine form of Zahir.
Is Zahira a popular name?
Not especially. Zahira ranked #3,709 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Zahira a boy or girl name?
Zahira is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Zahira?
Zahira is usually pronounced zuh-HEER-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings