Zara has multiple origins, but most notably is a variation of Zahrah, a name derived from the Arabic zahrah, meaning "blooming flower." Zara can also be a diminutive of the Bulgarian name Zaharina, a feminine form of the Hebrew Zechariah. Today, Zara is heavily associated with the Spanish fast-fashion empire of the same name.

Many things to many peoples: a flower name, also spelled Hanae, to the Japanese; a Czech and Polish short form of Johana; and an alternate form of the biblical name Hannah in the US. It also means "craft, work" in Hawaiian and "glow" in Maori.

Popular Scandinavian name -- first bestowed in honor of Swedish botanist Carl von Linné, a classifier of plants and animals -- that could make an engaging choice.

Cross-cultural winner.

Lovely Japanese name that would certainly be appreciated in Europe and the U.S. It was rarely used in Japan until the 1990s, and draws its current popularity from the fact that it is deeply connected to Japanese traditional culture without sounding frumpy and old-fashioned.

A town in the San Fernando Valley: slightly better than Encino or Tarzana.

The newest surname names move beyond the Waspy, and this is an excellent example, associated these days with gossip blogger Perez (born Mario) Hilton.

Variation of Perez.

This was the name of a 6th-century BC Greek philosopher and mathematician.

Common botanical choice in Japan.

Depending on the kanji characters used, this attractive and energetic Japanese name can have a variety of meanings relating to nature.

This beautiful Czech name is pronounced "KVYEH-ta".

Depending on the kanji characters used, this attractive and energetic Japanese name can have a variety of meanings relating to nature.

Pretty, pan-botanical Cherokee choice.