Zorah Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ZOR-ah /ˈzɔːrə/
Origin: Hebrew; Arabic
Meaning: Hebrew: dawn; Arabic: flower
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Zorah has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word "zarach," which means "to rise" or "to shine." This etymology reflects a connection to light and brightness, which is significant in various cultural contexts. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Judges, where Zorah is mentioned as the birthplace of the biblical figure Samson, a judge of Israel known for his extraordinary strength.
The Hebrew form "Zorah" was later transliterated into Greek and Latin, maintaining its original meaning and significance as it transitioned into other languages, including English. Historically, Zorah is associated with the tribe of Dan, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and is noted in ancient texts as a location of importance.
The mention of Zorah in biblical narratives, particularly in the context of Samson's story, has contributed to its recognition and resonance within Jewish tradition and Christian interpretations. The name has been preserved through various translations of the Bible, including the Septuagint in the 3rd century BCE and the Latin Vulgate in the late 4th century CE, which helped solidify its presence in Western religious thought.
Culturally, Zorah embodies themes of strength, resilience, and divine purpose, reflecting the qualities attributed to Samson. The name's association with light and rising can symbolize hope and renewal, making it a meaningful choice in various traditions.
While diminutive forms or variations may exist, the name Zorah itself carries a historical weight that connects it to ancient narratives and cultural symbolism, ensuring its place in the tapestry of names with biblical origins.
Famous people named Zorah
In this section, you will find notable people named Zorah. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Zorah who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Zorah who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Zorah Neale Hurston is an author and anthropologist best known for Their Eyes Were Watching God, Mules and Men, and Dust Tracks on a Road.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zorah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Zorah. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Zorah was first seen in the United States in 1896.
Zorah has ranked as high as #1326 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in Texas, Florida, California, Georgia, and Maryland.
In the past 5 years the name Zorah has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Zorah is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Zorah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Zorah (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 7 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Zorah.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 37 |
| 2023 | 50 |
| 2022 | 39 |
| 2021 | 39 |
| 2020 | 30 |
| 2019 | 38 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2009 | 15 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2006 | 15 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2003 | 13 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 1999 | 7 |
| 1912 | 6 |
| 1896 | 5 |