Zāhiyah

Zāhiyah (زاهية), pronounced Zā-hiyah, is an Arabic feminine name formed from the root ز-ه-ي which carries the semantic fields of radiance, splendour, bloom and flourishing. In classical Arabic sources the adjective زاهٍ or زاهية describes something bright, splendid or resplendent — a term used by poets for gardens, garments, and appearances. The name has been historically used in Arabic-speaking lands and appears in literary registers rather than in Qurʾānic formulae; thus its attestation is lexical and literary. Zāhiyah is appreciated by parents seeking a name that is both poetically evocative and linguistically transparent. It sits thematically with other names expressing light and beauty such as [[Zahra]] and [[Zaynab]] (though Zahra and Zaynab differ in frequency and origin). While not among the most common modern names, Zāhiyah carries a refined, classical Arabic resonance that works well across dialects and in scholarly contexts.