UK girl's name
Zairah
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "blossoming, radiant flower".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Zairah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Zairah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2574, with 10 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 10 births.
This profile covers 71 England and Wales registrations across 16 recorded years from 2000 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Zairah is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 71 living people in the UK are called Zairah. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Zairah ranked #2574 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 10 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2024, when 10 girls were registered as Zairah.
- • About 71 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zairah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2574
2024
Births in 2024
10
Latest year
Peak year
2024
10 births
Estimated living
71
2026
Meaning
What does Zairah mean?
The name Zairah is believed to have its origins in the Arabic language. It is a feminine name that means "bright" or "shining." The name is derived from the Arabic word "zahr," which refers to a flower or blossom.
Zairah's Arabic roots can be traced back to the 7th century, when the Arabic language and culture spread across the Middle East and North Africa. The name gained popularity among Arabic-speaking communities and was often given to girls as a symbol of beauty and radiance.
While there are no specific historical references to the name Zairah in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is likely that the name was used by Arabic families during the medieval period. The earliest recorded examples of the name date back to the 12th century, when it appeared in various Arabic manuscripts and records.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Zairah. One of the earliest recorded examples is Zairah al-Andalusiya (1111-1199), a renowned poet and scholar from the Andalusian region of Spain during the Moorish era. Her works were widely celebrated for their lyrical beauty and profound insights.
Another notable figure was Zairah bint Abi Bakr (1245-1320), a Sufi mystic and spiritual leader from Cairo, Egypt. She was known for her teachings on the path to enlightenment and her contributions to the development of Sufism in the region.
In the 16th century, Zairah al-Jazairi (1520-1589) was a skilled calligrapher and painter from Algiers, known for her intricate calligraphic works and illuminated manuscripts.
Moving to the 19th century, Zairah Qajar (1828-1891) was a Persian princess and influential figure in the Qajar dynasty. She played a significant role in advocating for women's rights and education during her time.
More recently, Zairah Ghufoor (1940-2018) was a celebrated Pakistani artist and educator, renowned for her vibrant paintings and contributions to the promotion of art education in her country.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Zairah throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and cultures.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Zairah over time
The chart below shows babies named Zairah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2000 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Zairah, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 10 births in 2024, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zairah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zairah was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3864 | 30 | 5 |
| 2010s | #5224 | 21 | 6 |
| 2000s | #4109 | 20 | 5 |
Related
Names similar to Zairah
- Zoe 23,808
- Zara 19,377
- Zainab 9,407
- Zahra 8,438
- Zoya 4,523
- Zuzanna 4,231
- Zaynab 3,722
- Zofia 2,773
- Zaynah 1,472
- Zaina 1,376
- Zoey 1,262
- Zarah 1,167
FAQ
Zairah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Zairah in the UK right now?
In 2024, Zairah was ranked #2574 for girls in England and Wales, with 10 births registered.
When was Zairah most popular?
The peak year on record was 2024, with 10 babies registered as Zairah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Zairah?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "blossoming, radiant flower".
How many people are called Zairah in the UK?
A total of 71 babies have been registered as Zairah across the 16 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.