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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Zara or Zoe

31 replies

Tiredturtle · 13/10/2025 14:47

Struggling with a name for baby girl. We both quite like Zara/Zoe although not sure which we would choose.

Interested to know which name people prefer and why? Or any other names we should think about (don't need to be Z!)

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KittyRannaldini · 13/10/2025 14:47

Zoe sounds nicer to me.

DuchessOfNarcissex · 13/10/2025 14:58

Zoe

LoudPlumDog · 13/10/2025 15:07

Zara one hundred percent

TokenGinger · 13/10/2025 15:42

I like Zara. There were a few girls named Zoe that I went to school with, so for me, Zoe falls into the same era as Rachel, Laura, Claire, Louise. All lovely names, but a bit outdated.

I only know one Zara and she’s around 8 years old.

I do think both are lovely names, though.

DemonsandMosquitoes · 13/10/2025 15:42

Zara

YourPeppyAmberTraybake · 13/10/2025 15:43

Zara

Pemba · 13/10/2025 15:50

Zoe is a beautiful timeless name, it means 'life'.

Zara, well it's fine, nothing wrong with it but a bit 'meh' in comparison. And it also kind of blends in with all the Sara/Lara/Tara names (assuming it's not the 'Sarah' pronunciation of Sara).

Hellothere89 · 13/10/2025 17:30

TokenGinger · 13/10/2025 15:42

I like Zara. There were a few girls named Zoe that I went to school with, so for me, Zoe falls into the same era as Rachel, Laura, Claire, Louise. All lovely names, but a bit outdated.

I only know one Zara and she’s around 8 years old.

I do think both are lovely names, though.

Exactly this! I love Zara, I think it’s timeless and elegant. We would have chosen it if we had a girl.

Moreteaandchocolate · 13/10/2025 18:38

I like both a lot! I have a real soft spot for Zoe though, something about the three letters and vowel change that sounds so feminine yet strong.

ninjahamster · 13/10/2025 18:41

Neither but I do like Sara if that’s a possibility?

user2848502016 · 13/10/2025 18:47

Zara but prefer Sara/Sarah

Firsttimebabymummy · 13/10/2025 18:53

Pemba · 13/10/2025 15:50

Zoe is a beautiful timeless name, it means 'life'.

Zara, well it's fine, nothing wrong with it but a bit 'meh' in comparison. And it also kind of blends in with all the Sara/Lara/Tara names (assuming it's not the 'Sarah' pronunciation of Sara).

This

Love Zoe

Solidandstripes · 13/10/2025 19:16

prefer Zoe over Zara (but also very nice)

any other options / ideas you have on the list?

Original poster
Tiredturtle · 13/10/2025 20:24

Solidandstripes · 13/10/2025 19:16

prefer Zoe over Zara (but also very nice)

any other options / ideas you have on the list?

Thanks! I like Isobel/Imogen but DH not keen.

Definitely don't feel like there's a name that we both love yet so still looking everywhere for inspiration ! (Due in Dec so a couple of months to decide)

OP posts:
Alexandrine · 13/10/2025 20:50

Definitely Zara of the two for me (although I prefer similar but more “classic” Sara). Zoe is nice enough but feels a bit more insubstantial somehow imo.

You might also like similar Xanthe though - that would be my first choice if it’s a possibility. Or maybe Sylvie? Zara, Zoe, Xanthe and Sylvie all have similar vibes to me for some reason- 2 syllable, pretty but slightly quirky/off- beat.

Shelteringfromthestorm · 13/10/2025 20:53

I like both, but I think Zara just about tops it.
Most of the Zoes I know are my age, whereas Zara is more in the moment, but not too common either.

How about Sadie?

mathanxiety · 13/10/2025 20:58

TokenGinger · 13/10/2025 15:42

I like Zara. There were a few girls named Zoe that I went to school with, so for me, Zoe falls into the same era as Rachel, Laura, Claire, Louise. All lovely names, but a bit outdated.

I only know one Zara and she’s around 8 years old.

I do think both are lovely names, though.

I agree with this.

Zara has more pizazz too imo.

TheLette · 13/10/2025 21:17

Definitely Zoe for me. Falls into my sweet spot of names that everyone is familiar with but aren't actually very common these days. I quite like the names that were popular in the 80s too, so I don't care it's not fashionable today. I don't really like the names which are popular these days, I find them quite bland. Zoe sounds sweet but slightly spiky. If I had a third daughter it would be my choice!

pilates · 13/10/2025 21:29

Zara

mathanxiety · 13/10/2025 22:22

Names that have a similar feel to Zoe (imo) that you might like:
Lydia
Naomi
Phoebe
Hope
Estelle
Esther

Names that have a similar feel to Zara (imo):
Lara
Eden
Cleo
Daphne
Vita
Stella

Firebird83 · 14/10/2025 17:04

Zara

rockettomarsbar · 14/10/2025 23:35

Zara or Tara

MummaR94 · 16/10/2025 00:27

Zara 1000%

coxesorangepippin · 16/10/2025 01:36

I cannot hear Zara without thinking of the shop

Solidandstripes · 16/10/2025 14:34

Tiredturtle · 13/10/2025 20:24

Thanks! I like Isobel/Imogen but DH not keen.

Definitely don't feel like there's a name that we both love yet so still looking everywhere for inspiration ! (Due in Dec so a couple of months to decide)

Show quote history

What about names like

Amelia
Serena

or do you want a short name?