"oak tree, oak grove"
Origin: Old Irish dair
Language: Irish
Dara
Pronunciation: [ d-AR-uh ]
Does Dara flow with your last name?
Rooted in Celtic oak wisdom and Hebrew pearls of knowledge
Irish
Hebrew
Persian
Earthy
Spiritual
Strong
Classic
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Meaning & Origin
"pearl of wisdom"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"possessor of good"
Origin: Persian
Language: Persian
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The Story of Dara
Dara is an Irish name meaning 'oak tree' or 'oak grove,' derived from the Old Irish 'dair' (oak). The oak was sacred to the ancient Celts — a symbol of strength, wisdom, and endurance. In Hebrew tradition, Dara (דרא) appears in Chronicles as a descendant of Judah, meaning 'pearl of wisdom.' In Persian, Dara is a form of Darius, meaning 'possessor of good.'
Dara has been used in Ireland for centuries and gained broader appeal as Irish names became fashionable internationally. It is used for both boys and girls in Irish tradition, with the masculine form more common in Connacht.
The oak (dair) held immense spiritual significance for the ancient Irish — the word 'druid' itself may derive from 'dair' combined with 'wid' (to know), meaning 'those who know the oak.' Choosing Dara connects a child to this deep Celtic heritage.
Historical Record
Dara first appeared in US Social Security records in 1955.
Over 807 babies have been named Dara in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dara is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #3,573 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In Irish mythology the oak was the king of trees, and Dara reflects this sacred connection
- Dara is the name of a character in the Hebrew Bible (1 Chronicles 2:6), listed among the wise men of Israel
Dara in Other Languages
Irish
Dara
Arabic
دارا
Hebrew
דרא
Persian
دارا
Popularity Over Time
#3,573
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dara
D
Dara Ó Briain
Entertainer
1972
Irish comedian and television presenter, one of Ireland's most beloved entertainers
D
Dara Singh
Athlete
1928
Indian professional wrestler and actor, a legendary Bollywood star and Commonwealth Games gold medalist
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,573
- Total SSA Count
- 32
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Hebrew Persian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Dar
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dara
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Dara is also used as a girl name, ranked #1029.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dara
What does the name Dara mean?
"oak tree, oak grove" (from Old Irish dair). "pearl of wisdom" (from Hebrew). "possessor of good" (from Persian). Dara is an Irish name meaning 'oak tree' or 'oak grove,' derived from the Old Irish 'dair' (oak). The oak was sacred to the ancient Celts — a symbol of strength, wisdom, and endurance. In Hebrew tradition, Dara (דרא) appears in Chronicles as a descendant of Judah, meaning 'pearl of wisdom.' In Persian, Dara is a form of Darius, meaning 'possessor of good.'
What is the origin of the name Dara?
Dara has Old Irish dair, Hebrew, Persian, and Irish origins. In Old Irish dair, it means "oak tree, oak grove". In Hebrew, it means "pearl of wisdom". In Persian, it means "possessor of good".
Is Dara a boy or girl name?
Dara is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3573. As a girl name, it is ranked #1029. Dara is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Dara?
Dara is pronounced d-AR-uh.
How popular is the name Dara?
Dara is currently ranked #3573 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dara?
Common nicknames for Dara include Dar.
What are good middle names for Dara?
Popular middle name pairings include Dara James, Dara Patrick, Dara Seamus, Dara Eoin, Dara Ciarán, Dara Rory, and Dara Finn.
What are good sibling names for Dara?
Names that pair well with Dara as siblings include Niall, Fionn, Aoife, Saoirse, Cian, Riona, and Declan.
How many syllables does Dara have?
Dara has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dara a common or rare name?
Dara is an uncommon name, ranked #3573 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Dara?
About the Name Dara
Dara is a boy name with Irish, Hebrew, and Persian origins . The name means "oak tree, oak grove" in Old Irish dair .
Is Dara a boy or girl name? Dara is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,573 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,029. Dara is more commonly used as a girl name.
Dara is currently ranked #3,573 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Dara has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AR-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Dara include Dar. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Dara include Dariel, Dario, Darius, Darwin, Darian . 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