Tara
Tara first appears in US records in 1939. It peaked in 1972, when 7,234 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 322.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Tara popular?
Declining Tara is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1972 peak.
| 2020s | 1,432 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 2,911 | |
| 2000s | 8,572 | |
| 1990s | 23,370 | |
| 1980s | 56,338 | |
| 1970s | 65,072 | |
| 1960s | 14,543 | |
| 1950s | 3,175 | |
| 1940s | 392 | |
| 1930s | 7 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Tara mean?
From Sanskrit tara (तारा), 'star'; also the name of a goddess in Hindu and Buddhist tradition. Cross-cultural: Tara is independently an Irish name (the Hill of Tara).
Names like Tara
sanskrit names with a similar feel and popularity.
Names that pair well with Tara
Popular sanskrit names for a sibling or a middle name.
Compare Tara
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tara mean?
Tara means star. From Sanskrit tara (तारा), 'star'; also the name of a goddess in Hindu and Buddhist tradition. Cross-cultural: Tara is independently an Irish name (the Hill of Tara).
What is the origin of the name Tara?
Tara is of sanskrit origin.
How do you pronounce Tara?
Tara is pronounced “TAH-rah.”
Is Tara a boy or a girl name?
Tara is most commonly used as a girl name.
Is Tara a popular name right now?
Tara is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1972 peak.
How popular is the name Tara?
In 2025, Tara ranked #847 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Tara most popular?
Tara was most popular in 1972, when about 7,234 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What names are similar to Tara?
Names similar to Tara include Kali, Anaya, Anika, Reva, Diya.
What names go well with Tara?
sanskrit names that pair well with Tara include Trisha, Kali, Bodhi, Anaya, Chandra.