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.

Zora is a meaningful literary heroine name honoring Zora Neale Hurston, an important black writer and leader of the Harlem Renaissance.

Although this Old Testament name is soft and delicate, it runs the risk of conjuring up the monstrous Godzilla.

Zenovia makes Zenobia even more unusual. This mythology-adjacent name is worth a look.

Zuly is the spunky short form of Zulma, and is commonly used on its own, often in the Latino community.