Last Name Zara

The surname Zara does not have a universally accepted single origin. It is found among various ethnic groups and regions worldwide due to various historical factors. 1. Hebrew: In Hebrew, Zara means "dawn" or "brightness." It may be a Jewish surname of Hebrew origin. 2. Arabic: Zara can also mean "flower" in Arabic. It could be an Arabic surname or a nickname given to someone considered as beautiful or fragrant, similar to the name Rose. 3. Basque: In the Basque language spoken in the northern part of Spain and southwestern France, "zara" means "hunter." It could be a Basque surname derived from an occupational name. 4. Slavic: Zara is also found among Slavic populations as a shortened version of names containing the elements Zara (meaning "time" or "era") or Zarja (meaning "dawn"). 5. Indian: In India, Zara could be a variant of the Sanskrit name Ushara, which means "dawn." It may also come from the Urdu and Persian language, where it means "flower." 6. Portuguese: As a variant of Sara or Maria (both biblical names), Zara is sometimes found in Portugal.

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The meaning and origin of the last name Zara

The surname Zara is derived from various origins, predominantly of Hebrew, Arabic, and Italian descent. In Hebrew, Zara means "princess" or "blooming." In Arabic, it translates to "flower," while in Italian, it denotes a coastal town in Veneto. As a surname, Zara is most common among Sephardic Jews and Arabs, as well as in parts of Italy and Spain. It has also been Anglicized from the Slavic surnames such as Sara or Zarica, which mean "noblewoman" or "princess." The name gained more widespread usage globally during the 20th century, particularly with the establishment of the nation of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo).

Geographical distribution of the last name Zara

The surname Zara has a significant presence across various regions globally, reflecting its diverse origins. In Europe, it is most common in Italy, particularly in regions such as Veneto and Lombardy, where it originates from the medieval personal name Sarra or Zara, meaning "flower" or "blossom." In Spain, it can be found primarily in Galicia and the Basque Country. The surname also has a strong presence in the Middle East, notably in Israel and Iran, due to historical migrations. In Africa, Zara is found among communities of Sephardic Jewish descent in Morocco and Tunisia. Lastly, in North America, it can be traced back to immigrants from Italy and Spain who settled there over centuries. The distribution thus suggests a complex history rooted in multiple cultures and geographies.

Variants and spellings of the last name Zara

The surname Zara can be found with several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration, regional pronunciation, and changes over time. Some common versions include:

1. Zara: This is the most straightforward version, derived from various origins such as Hebrew, Arabic, or Italian. In Hebrew, it means "blooming" or "flower." In Arabic, it can mean "morning" or "dawn," while in Italian, it's a shortened form of names like Giuseppa (Josephine) and Maria Giuseppa (Mary Joseph).
2. Sarra: A variant of Zara, this spelling is more common in Arabic-speaking cultures and is also used as a given name. In Arabic, it means "lioness."
3. Tsara: This variation is typically found among Ethiopian families, where it's associated with the Amhara ethnic group. It may have roots in the Ge'ez language and could mean "royal" or "noble."
4. Sarra/Sarah (with an 'h'): These versions are found in Hebrew and English-speaking cultures, where Sarah is a biblical name meaning "lady" or "princess."
5. Tsaras: This is a slightly different spelling of the Ethiopian variation mentioned earlier, with an additional 's' added at the end.
6. Sarra/Sara (with accents): In some languages like French or Spanish, Zara can have diacritical marks to indicate pronunciation. For example, Sara (with an accent) is found in Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries as a given name but not as a surname.
7. Sarra/Sarah (without an 'a'): In some cases, the surname Zara may be spelled without the final 'a,' especially if it's used as a given name in a particular culture or region.

Famous people with the last name Zara

Notable individuals with the surname Zara include:

1. Alesha Dixon - British singer-songwriter, dancer, and model, best known for being a member of the R&B girl group Mis-Teeq and later becoming a judge on Britain's Got Talent.

2. Danielle Zara - American actress, known for her roles in television series such as The L Word, CSI: Miami, and NCIS.

3. David Zara - Swiss classical pianist and conductor, notable for his performances of Mozart and Beethoven's concertos.

4. Gianfranco Zola - Italian professional footballer turned manager, known for his spell at Chelsea Football Club as a player and coach. He was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

5. Gina Lollobrigida - Italian actress and photographer, often referred to as "the most beautiful woman in the world" during the 1950s and 1960s. She had an extensive film career and was a prominent figure in European cinema.

6. Jadon Sancho - English professional footballer of Trinidadian and Indian descent, currently playing for Borussia Dortmund and the England national team. He is one of the most promising young talents in world football.

7. Nate Zara - American actor, known for his roles in television series such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and CSI: Miami.

Genealogical research on the last name Zara

The surname Zara is believed to have originated from various regions due to its diverse spelling variations, such as Sarra, Sarrah, and Zarah, which suggest Arabic or Hebrew origins. One notable lineage can be traced back to the Byzantine Empire, where a family named Sarra was mentioned in the 10th century. The name also appears in medieval records of Muslim Spain (Al-Andalus), indicating its potential Arabic origin. In Italy, the surname Zara is associated with the Republic of Ragusa (now Dubrovnik, Croatia) and is thought to be a shortened form of the Slavic name Sare, meaning "princess." The Zaras in America are believed to have immigrated primarily from Italy, Spain, and the Middle East. Notable individuals with this surname include Italian sculptor Marino Zara (15th century) and contemporary American actress Lena Headey, who was born Avery-Ann Headey but uses her maternal grandmother's maiden name, Zara.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Zara"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

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