can I use Zara if there's a Sarah in our close family?

[TiredFeet]

Zara is currently high on my shortlist, only reason I am wavering is that Sil is called Sarah and I wondered if its too similar?

Other names currently on my list: Jessica, Daisy, Laura... Feel free to inspire me! Problem is so many other names we like have already been 'used'. Not overly bothered by the popularity of a name as we have a fairly exotic/unusual surname and ds's name was top 5 but we have only come across one or two others so far

[EweHaveGoatToBeKiddin]

I would never have thought those names are similar. Are you pronouncing it Say-rah (the way I pronounce it) or Sah-rah?

I'd use it regardless. I love the name Zara. I'm very fond of 4-letter names that end in 'a'.

[Mrspebble]

Yes, I don't think they are that similar either

[TiredFeet]

Sarah definitely pronounced "say-rah", so yes they sound different. Not sure if I am over analysing it or if all our family are going to point out the similarity!

[CrocodileScream]

Two different names I'd say. Zara is lovely!

[TiredFeet]

I love Anna too but a close friend named her baby that recently

[TiredFeet]

Liking the responses so far! I am fed up of ruling out names I like because a family member /friend has that name! But equally don't want endless comments about the similarity

[bdbfan]

Of course you can! My dd1 is Zara and I have a cousin called Sarah. My grandad sometimes got confused but noone else did.

[CrocodileScream]

Anna is also lovely.

[NadiaWadia]

How is 'Sarah' pronounced 'say-rah'? It's usually pronounced Sare -(rhyme with 'air') - a.

[EweHaveGoatToBeKiddin]

I'm Scottish, Nadia.

Say-rah and Sair-ah are pronounced the same way to me.

[Mattissy]

At first I thought it would be fine as they're pronounced differently, however thinking more about it, my SIL is Sarah and I wouldn't use Zara as they're too similar. Oh I don't know, can't make my mind up!

[BeigeBuffet]

I have a cousin called Zara and she was one of the prettiest baby's in our very big family, lovely name!

[YDdraigGoch]

I've never heard Sarah pronounced Say-rah. That would ruin a perfectly lovely name. It's always Ser-rah.

[BackforGood]

As you have 3 other lovely names that you like, then I'd avoid it, as I think they are quite similar.

[EweHaveGoatToBeKiddin]

Serah? Do you pronounce air like er? I say air like ay-r.

I've always said Sayrah. But i suppose that doesn't work in an English or Welsh accent?

I'm not sure how to pronounce it now.

[TiredFeet]

I was using ewe 's options to distinguish pronunciation from Zara, but I guess 'sair-ah' is a better way of describing how its said!

keep going round in circles on this one!

[NadiaWadia]

imagining it in a Scottish accent I can see how it might sound like Say-rah. Sorry - didn't think of that!

[NadiaWadia]

But whether Sarah is pronounced in a Scottish or English way, both ways are sufficiently different from the pronunciation of 'Zara' to make it a completely different name, OP, so you are safe I think!

[Wishfulmakeupping]

I think they are different sounding enough go for it

[sleepingbeautiful]

Yes. Only a bit odd if siblings I think. There's a Tara and a Cara in our close family and no one seems to think that's weird.

[sleepingbeautiful]

I mean yes as in it's fine. Sorry :)

[bebopanddoowop]

it's definitely fine!

[comeandgo]

Yes. Two different names IMHO

[Alexa007]

My dd is called Zara. Love the name and completely different to Sarah!

[EvaLongoria]

My gorgeous DD2 is called Zara and its so different to Sarah. Go for it. Beautiful name!