Back to Baby Names

Taryn

Girl Name #2,519 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Celtic thunder with a modern, breezy sound

Irish American British
Vintage Strong Classic Bold Earthy

Meaning & Origin

"rocky hill, tower"
Origin: Irish/Gaelic
Language: Irish
"thunder"
Origin: Welsh Celtic
Language: Welsh
"from Tara, Hill of Tara"
Origin: Irish
Language: English

The Story of Taryn

Taryn is believed to derive from the Irish/Celtic elements meaning rocky hill or tower, or from the Welsh 'taran' meaning thunder. It may also be a feminine form of the Gaelic name Tara, itself from the Hill of Tara — the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland. The name emerged as a modern given name in the 20th century.

Taryn peaked in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s as parents sought alternatives to Karen and Sharon that retained a similar sound. It has since declined but retains a retro charm.

Tara, the root of Taryn, is one of Ireland's most sacred sites — the Hill of Tara in County Meath was the ceremonial and political heart of ancient Ireland. Taryn carries that mythological weight in a more modern package.

Fun Facts

  • The Welsh word 'taran' means thunder and is linguistically related to the Norse god Thor
  • Taryn peaked in US popularity around 1988-1992

Taryn in Other Languages

Irish Taran
Welsh Taran
English Taryn
Scottish Tara

Famous People Named Taryn

T

Taryn Manning

Actor

1978

American actress known for Orange Is the New Black and 8 Mile

T

Taryn Power

Actor

1953

American actress and daughter of film star Tyrone Power

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#2,519
Total SSA Count
71
Cultural Origins
Irish American British
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Common Nicknames

Tary

Pairs Well With

Taryn Grace Taryn Lynn Taryn Marie Taryn Ann Taryn Rose Taryn Jane

Sibling Names

Also a Boy Name

Taryn is also used as a boy name, ranked #8741.

View Taryn as a boy name →

Similar Names

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Taryn and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Taryn sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name
Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

Frequently Asked Questions About Taryn

What does the name Taryn mean?
"rocky hill, tower" (from Irish/Gaelic). "thunder" (from Welsh Celtic). "from Tara, Hill of Tara" (from Irish). Taryn is believed to derive from the Irish/Celtic elements meaning rocky hill or tower, or from the Welsh 'taran' meaning thunder. It may also be a feminine form of the Gaelic name Tara, itself from the Hill of Tara — the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland. The name emerged as a modern given name in the 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Taryn?
Taryn has Irish/Gaelic, Welsh Celtic, Irish, American, and British origins. In Irish/Gaelic, it means "rocky hill, tower". In Welsh Celtic, it means "thunder". In Irish, it means "from Tara, Hill of Tara".
Is Taryn a boy or girl name?
Taryn is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2519. As a boy name, it is ranked #8741. Taryn is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Taryn?
Taryn is currently ranked #2519 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Taryn?
Common nicknames for Taryn include Tary.
What are good middle names for Taryn?
Popular middle name pairings include Taryn Grace, Taryn Lynn, Taryn Marie, Taryn Ann, Taryn Rose, and Taryn Jane.
What are good sibling names for Taryn?
Names that pair well with Taryn as siblings include Keely, Declan, Brennan, Sienna, Riley, and Quinn.
How many syllables does Taryn have?
Taryn has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Taryn a common or rare name?
Taryn is an uncommon name, ranked #2519 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Taryn

Taryn is a girl name with Irish, American, and British origins . The name means "rocky hill, tower" in Irish/Gaelic .

Is Taryn a boy or girl name? Taryn is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,519 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #8,741. Taryn is more commonly used as a girl name.

Taryn is currently ranked #2,519 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Taryn has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Taryn include Tary. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Explore Name Lists