Az-Zahra
/az ˈzɑːr ə/noun
An Arabic epithet or personal name meaning “the Radiant,” especially associated with Fatimah al-Zahra, daughter of Muhammad.
Did you know?The Arabic root z-h-r connects radiance with flowers and blossoming, while the related name al-Zuhra was also used for the planet Venus.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*ẓ-h-r
“To shine, become bright, or appear prominently”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ẓahr / zahr
“Brightness, flowers, or blossoming—meanings developed from the idea of radiance”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
zahrāʾ
“Radiant, bright, splendid; also feminine in form”
7th Century
Arabic
Fāṭimah al-Zahrāʾ
““Fatimah the Radiant,” the revered epithet of Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad”
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
al-Zahrāʾ
“The Radiant; used in personal names, honorifics, and place names”
Modern English
English
Az-Zahra
“A transliterated Arabic name or epithet, commonly referring to Fatimah al-Zahra”