Zohra

[SeanChailleach]

For a girl, what do you think?

Not a fan of this spelling. Zara? Zahra?

I saw this on a local bakery’s social media today - could just be a coincidence, or you might be local to me!

Reminds me of Zoflora.

Zara suggested by PP is lovely.

it's a Persian name so nothing to do with cleaner
I prefer Zohreh but that's probably mostly because she's in my fam lol. Zohra is lovely x

@Buttons294749

it's a Persian name so nothing to do with cleaner I prefer Zohreh but that's probably mostly because she's in my fam lol. Zohra is lovely x

Actually, I think Zohra is the Arabic version as Zohreh is the Persian name. It means Venus I believe?

I think your dd will have trouble with people not being able to pronounce it properly tbh. I know from personal experience. It's because of the h in the middle of the name.

How do you say it @Meredusoleil ? I was told it is the goddess of music, but in writing. Is the h pronounced?

Yes the h is usually pronouned when said correctly. I would say Zohra as Zoh-rah with a strong emphasis on that middle h sound.

Lots of muslims girls called this

I know a Zohra, no one has problems pronouncing it, just say it as it’s spelled. ‘Zo-Ra’

Reminds me of Zoflora too.

@BashfulClam

I know a Zohra, no one has problems pronouncing it, just say it as it’s spelled. ‘Zo-Ra’

It's not really zora though. In Arabic/Farsi the H is pronounced.

OP if you don't know how to pronounce it why would you consider it? As pp suggested maybe choose Zara instead?

@BashfulClam

I know a Zohra, no one has problems pronouncing it, just say it as it’s spelled. ‘Zo-Ra’

Exactly what I'm talking about! It's not spelled Zo-ra, so it shouldn't be pronounced that way either. The h is not a silent letter. OP find a different if you are in the UK if you ask me 🤷🏻‍♀️

Not too keen, I prefer Zara/Zahra

Makes me think of Zorro's sister I prefer Zara - I think maybe the o sound in Zohra (how I'm pronouncing it in my head) makes me think of sore whereas the a sound in Zara is nicer.

Thank you @Meredusoleil I don't have a daughter to name, I was just following the situation in Afghanistan and this name was mentioned. I am unclear though - some say it means Venus or evening star, others just a variation on Zahra, and others Persian goddess of music. Are any of these correct in fact?

It’s a lovely name and the Arabic translation above is the one I’ve heard of (Venus). But as a pp mentioned it’s going to be near impossible to be pronounced correctly here. There is difficulty with getting that middle H sound right. It’s either ignored or pronounced as a “ha”.

@SeanChailleach

Thank you *@Meredusoleil* I don't have a daughter to name, I was just following the situation in Afghanistan and this name was mentioned. I am unclear though - some say it means Venus or evening star, others just a variation on Zahra, and others Persian goddess of music. Are any of these correct in fact?

Definitely means Venus as far as I know.

It's usually a name given to Muslim girls and it means Venus. There is no goddess of music in the Islamic faith as they believe in one God only rather than multiple deities.

There was an all-female orchestra in Kabul called "Zohra", and it's reported that the name was of "the Persian goddess of music" ie not Arabic or Muslim, maybe Zoroastrian?
Venus is regarded as a goddess, but using the name doesn't reflect any religious beliefs.

It's similar to the Irish name Sorcha but with the r and ch switched. The names Fiachra and Lochlann has a similar consonant group - although it's spelt ch in Ulster it is said h.