Prn. DZIE-ra
Italian and Spanish form of Zaïre.
It was used by [name_m]Vincenzo[/name_m] Bellini for the heroine of his opera [name_f]Zaira[/name_f] (1829), which was based on Voltaire’s 1732 play Zaïre (in [name_u]French[/name_u] the name is Zaïre).
It is generally believed that [name_u]Voltaire[/name_u] himself invented it, deriving it from some Arabic term such as زهر (zahr, “flowers”) or أزهر (ʾazhara, “to shine”, “to blossom”), or directly adapting the name زهرة (Zahra, which derives from the same roots); some sources therefore interpret its meaning as “flowery”.
However, it should be noted that there is a Spanish martyr saint named [name_f]Zaira[/name_f] who lived, according to tradition, at the time of Moorish Spain, and that also from a literary point of view, the name Zaïre had already appeared previously in Racine’s Bajazet of 1672.
What do you think of this beautifully vintage, romantic and literary name? It is a great name in my Italian context in my opinion. Which imageries does this name evocate to you? I would also like two middle combos or some sibsets for [name_f]Zaira[/name_f], my new name crush 
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you prefer [name_f]Zara[/name_f] or [name_f]Zaira[/name_f]? I used to love [name_f]Zara[/name_f] but I think I like [name_f]Zaira[/name_f] a bit better because it has more literary connections, but I like both.
1 Like
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] is bright, arty and intriguing! I quite like it - there’s something about it that gives off the imagery of grand theatres, old books and sparkling jewellery, while also feeling slightly floral, poetic and stylish.
I think I prefer [name_f]Zara[/name_f], only because the pronunciation flows more easily and naturally in my accent - but I love [name_f]Zaira[/name_f] for you!
A couple of combos:
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_f]Leontine[/name_f] Great
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_u]Florence[/name_u] [name_f]Elettra[/name_f]
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_f]Simona[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f]
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_f]Leonie[/name_f] [name_f]Fleur[/name_f]
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_f]Solange[/name_f] [name_f]Ines[/name_f]
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_u]Damaris[/name_u] [name_f]Fifine[/name_f]
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_f]Georgette[/name_f] [name_f]Delphi[/name_f]
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_f]Dorothea[/name_f] Gwennor
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_f]Yseult[/name_f] [name_f]Lurline[/name_f]
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] [name_f]Lucie[/name_f]
This is my first time hearing of [name_f]Zaira[/name_f] but I love it!
Some combos with 2 middle names:
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f] [name_u]Rose[/name_u] 
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] 
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_u]Marie[/name_u] [name_f]Oriana[/name_f] 
Siblings I think of for [name_f]Zaira[/name_f] are [name_m]Carlo[/name_m], [name_m]Elio[/name_m], and [name_f]Vivia[/name_f] - some other great underused Italian names.
This name, and Zaïre, are both new to me. They’re beautiful! Thanks for sharing the history as well.
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] makes me think of dressing rooms full of bouquets and rich velvet gowns. Deep jewel tones with splashes of gold. It also feels a little celestial to me.
Combo ideas for you:
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_f]Esmée[/name_f] [name_f]Luisa[/name_f]
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_f]Isamar[/name_f] [name_f]Ninette[/name_f]
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_f]Eleonora[/name_f] [name_f]Victoire[/name_f] (took inspiration from your list here)
[name_f]Zaira[/name_f] [name_f]Léontine[/name_f] [name_u]Maria[/name_u]
I’d name siblings…. [name_f]Amadea[/name_f], [name_f]Elvire[/name_f], [name_f]Clelia[/name_f], [name_f]Isolda[/name_f], [name_f]Melusine[/name_f], Valère, [name_m]Oreste[/name_m], Melanto, [name_m]Lucius[/name_m], [name_m]Viorel[/name_m]