Zari

Zari has a cool, nickname-y charm and contemporary appeal, owing to its multicultural origins and Z initial. It was given to more than 100 girls in the US in a recent year and has featured as a character on the popular app, Duolingo.

The name can be considered a short form of the Persian Zarin, along with its offshoots, Zarya, Zarina, and Zareen. In this case, it would mean "gold" from the Persian zar. It might also be a variant of the Arabic Zahra (or its English form, Zara), giving it the meanings "blooming flower" or "shining, brilliant".

Another possibility is that it's inspired by the Hebrew and Biblical name, Azariah, a fast rising choice in recent years. It would then have the meaning "God has helped". This origin may well be the reason for its increased use in the US, with the similar Zariah, Azaria, Zariyah, and Azari making the Top 1000 in a recent year.

Zari is also given to boys.

Pronounced ZAR-ee.

As of October 2026, Zari ranked #2606 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #1753 in 2022.