NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Zyra

An invented name perhaps deriving from the word 'zephyr' meaning a light breeze.

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.

Zyra is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Zyra popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1491, with 21 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 21 births.

This profile covers 115 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 2008 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.

Zyra is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 115 living people in the UK are called Zyra. 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

  • Zyra ranked #1491 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 21 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 21 girls were registered as Zyra.
  • About 115 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zyra as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#1491

2024

Births in 2024

21

Latest year

Peak year

2024

21 births

Estimated living

115

2026

Meaning

What does Zyra mean?

The name Zyra is believed to have its origins in the ancient Persian language, where it was derived from the word "Zyra," meaning "gold" or "golden." This name likely emerged during the Achaemenid Empire, which ruled over parts of the Middle East and Central Asia from the 6th to 4th centuries BCE.

In ancient Persian mythology, Zyra was associated with the god Mithra, who was revered as the deity of light, truth, and justice. The name's connection to gold and the sun's radiance made it a popular choice for newborns, symbolizing the desire for a prosperous and illuminated life.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zyra can be found in the "Shahnameh," the epic Persian poem composed by Ferdowsi in the late 10th century CE. In this work, Zyra is mentioned as the name of a minor character, indicating its usage in ancient Persia.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Zyra. One of the most prominent was Zyra al-Andalusi, a renowned Arab mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 10th century CE in Cordoba, Spain. Her contributions to the field of spherical geometry and the development of astronomical instruments were highly influential during the Islamic Golden Age.

Another noteworthy figure was Zyra Banu Begum, a princess of the Mughal Empire who lived in the 16th century CE. She was known for her patronage of the arts and her role in commissioning the construction of several architectural marvels, including the iconic Tomb of Akbar the Great in Agra, India.

In the realm of literature, Zyra Ghereghlou was a celebrated Iranian poet and writer of the 20th century, renowned for her powerful and evocative works that explored themes of love, spirituality, and social commentary. Her poetry collections, such as "The Garden of Mysteries," have been widely acclaimed and translated into multiple languages.

The name Zyra has also been associated with notable figures in the performing arts. Zyra Nerina was a renowned Italian prima ballerina of the 19th century, acclaimed for her grace and technical mastery on stage. She was a principal dancer at the prestigious La Scala opera house in Milan and toured extensively throughout Europe, captivating audiences with her interpretations of classic ballets.

Moreover, Zyra Westwood was a British fashion designer who rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s for her avant-garde and unconventional designs. Her bold and rebellious style influenced the punk and new wave movements, and she is celebrated as a trailblazer in the fashion industry.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Zyra over time

The chart below shows babies named Zyra registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 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 Zyra, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 21 births in 2024, compared with 21 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Zyra
05111621200820162024

Decades

Zyra by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zyra 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 #1885 80 5
2010s #4572 32 7
2000s #5545 3 1

Related

Names similar to Zyra

FAQ

Zyra: questions and answers

How popular is the name Zyra in the UK right now?

In 2024, Zyra was ranked #1491 for girls in England and Wales, with 21 births registered.

When was Zyra most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 21 babies registered as Zyra in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Zyra?

An invented name perhaps deriving from the word 'zephyr' meaning a light breeze.

How many people are called Zyra in the UK?

A total of 115 babies have been registered as Zyra across the 13 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.