"rocky hill, hill of kings"
Origin: Celtic
Language: Irish
Tara
Pronunciation: [ t-EHR-uh ]
Does Tara flow with your last name?
Ancient hill of Irish kings, star of Eastern skies
Irish
Indian
American
English
Classic
Strong
Earthy
Spiritual
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"star, she who carries across"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Sanskrit
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The Story of Tara
Tara has dual origins with very different meanings. In Irish, it derives from the Hill of Tara (teamhair na rí), the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland, meaning hill or rocky crag. In Sanskrit, Tara (तारा) is a goddess name meaning star or she who carries across, an important figure in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Margaret Mitchell's plantation Tara in Gone with the Wind added another cultural layer.
Tara peaked in the US in the 1970s-80s, partly inspired by Gone with the Wind's enduring popularity. Its cross-cultural appeal across Irish, Indian, and American contexts gave it broader reach than many names of its era.
In Ireland, the Hill of Tara was the most sacred site of Celtic civilization, where High Kings were crowned. In Hinduism and Buddhism, Tara is a bodhisattva goddess of compassion. In Buddhist traditions, Green Tara and White Tara are beloved protective deities.
Historical Record
Tara first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 175,091 babies have been named Tara in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Tara is past its peak , currently ranked #1,022 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Hill of Tara in County Meath was the ceremonial seat of the High Kings of Ireland for over 5,000 years
- Tara is a goddess in both Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism, where she represents compassion and protection
Tara in Other Languages
Hindi
तारा
Irish
Teamhair
Korean
타라
Spanish
Tara
Japanese
タラ
Sanskrit
तारा
Popularity Over Time
#1,022
Current Rank
Peaked 1977
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Tara
T
Tara Lipinski
Athlete
1982
American figure skater who became the youngest Olympic champion at the 1998 Winter Games
T
Tara Strong
Entertainer
1973
Canadian-American voice actress known for Powerpuff Girls, My Little Pony, and Batman
T
Tara O'Hara Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind (1936), whose home plantation is named Tara
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,022
- Total SSA Count
- 247
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Indian American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Tar
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Tara
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Tara is also used as a boy name, ranked #31936.
View Tara as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tara
What does the name Tara mean?
"rocky hill, hill of kings" (from Celtic). "star, she who carries across" (from Sanskrit). Tara has dual origins with very different meanings. In Irish, it derives from the Hill of Tara (teamhair na rí), the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland, meaning hill or rocky crag. In Sanskrit, Tara (तारा) is a goddess name meaning star or she who carries across, an important figure in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Margaret Mitchell's plantation Tara in Gone with the Wind added another cultural layer.
What is the origin of the name Tara?
Tara has Celtic, Sanskrit, Irish, Indian, American, and English origins. In Celtic, it means "rocky hill, hill of kings". In Sanskrit, it means "star, she who carries across".
Is Tara a boy or girl name?
Tara is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1022. As a boy name, it is ranked #31936. Tara is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Tara?
Tara is pronounced t-EHR-uh.
How popular is the name Tara?
Tara is currently ranked #1022 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Tara?
Common nicknames for Tara include Tar.
What are good middle names for Tara?
Popular middle name pairings include Tara Louise, Tara Anne, Tara Marie, Tara Jean, Tara Elizabeth, Tara Grace, and Tara Lynn.
What are good sibling names for Tara?
Names that pair well with Tara as siblings include Liam, Niamh, Finn, Sinead, Brendan, and Aoife.
How many syllables does Tara have?
Tara has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Tara a common or rare name?
Tara is an uncommon name, ranked #1022 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Tara?
About the Name Tara
Tara is a girl name with Irish, Indian, American, and English origins . The name means "rocky hill, hill of kings" in Celtic .
Is Tara a boy or girl name? Tara is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,022 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #31,936. Tara is more commonly used as a girl name.
Tara is currently ranked #1,022 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Tara has 2 syllables and is pronounced t-EHR-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Tara include Tar. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Tara include Taryn, Tariyah, Taraji . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis