Tara Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Tara is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Tara?
Tara is spelled T-A-R-A. The name has 4 letters.
Tara at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Tara may derive from a Sanskrit word meaning “star.”
- Origin
- Tara is commonly associated with both Sanskrit origins and Irish geographical and historical contexts.
- Pronunciation
- TAH-rah · 2 syllables
Tara Popularity in 2025
Rank#844
Recorded Births322
- Girls usage rose 174 places to #844 and recorded 73 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Tara Mean?
Tara may derive from a Sanskrit word meaning “star.”
Origin: Tara is commonly associated with both Sanskrit origins and Irish geographical and historical contexts.
How Do You Pronounce Tara?
PronunciationTAH-rah
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Tara?
- History
- The name Tara appears in Irish historical texts referencing the Hill of Tara as a significant ceremonial site and is also found in Sanskrit literature.
- Cultural notes
- In Irish tradition, Tara is the name of the Hill of Tara, an ancient seat of kingship symbolizing leadership and sovereignty.
Tara Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 322 | #844 |
| 2024 | Girls | 249 | #1,018 |
| 2023 | Girls | 208 | #1,162 |
| 2022 | Girls | 240 | #1,059 |
| 2021 | Girls | 212 | #1,153 |
| 2020 | Girls | 201 | #1,163 |
| 2019 | Girls | 257 | #1,004 |
| 2018 | Girls | 250 | #1,032 |
| 2017 | Girls | 265 | #983 |
| 2016 | Girls | 261 | #1,012 |
| 2015 | Girls | 301 | #911 |
| 2014 | Girls | 301 | #905 |
| 2013 | Girls | 282 | #906 |
| 2012 | Girls | 336 | #797 |
| 2011 | Girls | 303 | #863 |
| 2010 | Girls | 355 | #774 |
| 2009 | Girls | 425 | #687 |
| 2008 | Girls | 491 | #628 |
| 2007 | Girls | 581 | #538 |
| 2006 | Girls | 685 | #463 |
| 2005 | Girls | 929 | #340 |
| 2004 | Girls | 977 | #323 |
| 2003 | Girls | 927 | #336 |
| 2002 | Girls | 1,060 | #295 |
When Was Tara Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1972 · Girls
7,234 recorded births
National rank #38
1977 · Girls
7,198 recorded births
National rank #35
1979 · Girls
6,806 recorded births
National rank #38
1973 · Girls
6,707 recorded births
National rank #37
Where Tara Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| WA | #301 | 24 |
| MA | #444 | 12 |
| CA | #509 | 65 |
| IL | #515 | 19 |
| MD | #549 | 9 |
| NY | #610 | 27 |
| NC | #634 | 16 |
| MN | #659 | 7 |