"household spirit, ancestral guardian"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Lara
Pronunciation: [ l-AHR-uh ]
Does Lara flow with your last name?
Ancient Roman spirit, poetic heart
Latin
Russian
Italian
Persian
Cross Cultural
Lyrical
Rare
Romantic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Names Like Lara
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"citadel, fortress"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
"a type of bird"
Origin: Persian
Language: Persian
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The Story of Lara
Though Lara is most familiar as a feminine name, its roots are not strictly gendered. It derives either from the Latin Lares — the Roman household and ancestral spirits who protected the family — or from Larissa, the Greek city name meaning citadel. In Russian and Slavic tradition, Lara functions as a unisex nickname. In Persian, lara means a type of bird, adding another cultural dimension.
Lara as a masculine name appears mainly in Slavic and Italian communities where gender conventions around names differ from English-speaking norms, or in families seeking a deliberately unconventional choice.
Boris Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago made Lara one of the most recognizable names in twentieth-century literature, carrying associations of passionate love, survival, and poetic beauty — a legacy that transcends gender.
Historical Record
Lara first appeared in US Social Security records in 1967.
Over 29 babies have been named Lara in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Lara is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #20,060 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Lara is the iconic love interest in Boris Pasternak's novel Doctor Zhivago (1957), one of the most celebrated novels of the twentieth century.
- The Roman Lares were small bronze figurines kept in a household shrine; every Roman family honored them at meals and important life events.
Lara in Other Languages
Greek
Λάρα
Latin
Lara
Italian
Lara
Persian
لارا
Russian
Лара
Popularity Over Time
#20,060
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #20,060
- Total SSA Count
- 6
- Cultural Origins
- Latin Russian Italian Persian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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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Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Lara
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Lara is also used as a girl name, ranked #740.
View Lara as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Latin)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lara
What does the name Lara mean?
"household spirit, ancestral guardian" (from Latin). "citadel, fortress" (from Greek). "a type of bird" (from Persian). Though Lara is most familiar as a feminine name, its roots are not strictly gendered. It derives either from the Latin Lares — the Roman household and ancestral spirits who protected the family — or from Larissa, the Greek city name meaning citadel. In Russian and Slavic tradition, Lara functions as a unisex nickname. In Persian, lara means a type of bird, adding another cultural dimension.
What is the origin of the name Lara?
Lara has Latin, Greek, Persian, Russian, and Italian origins. In Latin, it means "household spirit, ancestral guardian". In Greek, it means "citadel, fortress". In Persian, it means "a type of bird".
Is Lara a boy or girl name?
Lara is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #20060. As a girl name, it is ranked #740. Lara is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Lara?
Lara is pronounced l-AHR-uh.
How popular is the name Lara?
Lara is currently ranked #20060 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Lara?
Popular middle name pairings include Lara Marco, Lara Felix, Lara Alexei, Lara Ivan, and Lara Dmitri.
What are good sibling names for Lara?
Names that pair well with Lara as siblings include Mara, Sasha, Nico, Ivan, and Vera.
How many syllables does Lara have?
Lara has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Lara a common or rare name?
Lara is an uncommon name, ranked #20060 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Lara?
About the Name Lara
Lara is a boy name with Latin, Russian, Italian, and Persian origins . The name means "household spirit, ancestral guardian" in Latin .
Is Lara a boy or girl name? Lara is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #20,060 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #740. Lara is more commonly used as a girl name.
Lara is currently ranked #20,060 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Lara has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-AHR-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Lara include Larry, Lars, Larson, Larkin, Laron . 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