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Baby names

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

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!)

OP posts:
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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 All lovely names, but a bit outdated.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 All lovely names, but a bit outdated.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?

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)

What about names like

Amelia
Serena

or do you want a short name?