Barbara vs Tara

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Barbara

Girl #860 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"foreign woman, stranger"

Origin: Greek barbaros

Cultural Roots

English American German Italian Spanish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#860
Total SSA Count
313
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Barb, Barbie, Babs

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Barbara →

Tara

Girl #1,022 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"rocky hill, hill of kings"

Origin: Celtic

Cultural Roots

Irish Indian American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,022
Total SSA Count
247
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Tar

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Tara →

Popularity Comparison

Barbara Rank #860
Tara Rank #1,022

Barbara is more popular, ranked #860 vs #1022 for Tara.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Barbara ___

  • Barbara Ann
  • Barbara Jean
  • Barbara Lee
  • Barbara Lynn
  • Barbara Kay
  • Barbara Jane

Tara ___

  • Tara Louise
  • Tara Anne
  • Tara Marie
  • Tara Jean
  • Tara Elizabeth
  • Tara Grace

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Barbara

Patricia Nancy Linda Judith Robert

If you choose Tara

Liam Niamh Finn Sinead Brendan

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Barbara or Tara more popular?

Barbara is more popular, ranked #860 compared to Tara at #1022 in the United States.

What do Barbara and Tara mean?

Barbara means "foreign woman, stranger" (Greek barbaros origin). Tara means "rocky hill, hill of kings" (Celtic origin).

Are Barbara and Tara boy or girl names?

Barbara is primarily a girl name. Tara is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

Tara vs Barbara Barbara vs Valery Barbara vs Dalilah Barbara vs Madilynn Barbara vs Ayah
← Full profile: Barbara ← Full profile: Tara Browse all baby names