The name Lazara is a feminine given name with origins tracing back to the Late Latin name Lazarus. Lazarus was derived from the Hebrew name El'azar, which means "God has helped." The name gained widespread recognition and usage after appearing in the New Testament of the Bible as the name of the man whom Jesus raised from the dead.

During the early years of Christianity, the name Lazara emerged as a feminine form of Lazarus. It was particularly popular among Eastern European and Slavic cultures, where various spellings and diminutive forms of the name were used, such as Lazarina and Laza. The name was also adopted in other parts of Europe, including Italy, where it was sometimes spelled as Lazara.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Lazara can be found in the 5th century, when a woman named Lazara is mentioned in the writings of the early Christian theologian and philosopher, Augustine of Hippo. In the 9th century, a nun named Lazara is recorded as having lived in a monastery in Constantinople, which was then the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Lazara. In the 16th century, Lazara Bernacchi (1503-1568) was an Italian Renaissance painter known for her religious works and portraits. In the 17th century, Lazara Naldi (1603-1671) was an Italian singer and composer who performed extensively in the courts of Europe.

In the 19th century, Lazara Lazarević (1851-1891) was a Serbian writer and feminist who played a significant role in promoting women's education and rights in Serbia. Another notable figure was Lazara Boyadzhieva (1870-1923), a Bulgarian revolutionary and activist who fought for the liberation of Macedonia from Ottoman rule.

In the 20th century, Lazara Marinković (1909-1935) was a Serbian poet and writer who was part of the avant-garde literary movement in Yugoslavia. Her poetic works explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition.