MallowbyNames

Adara

ah-DAR-ah · Of uncertain origin; possibly a variant of Adara meaning 'virgin' in Arabic or derived from the Greek 'adara' meaning 'beautiful'.

2025 rank (girls)
#1,004
Babies named in 2025
249
Peak popularity
2025
2025 frequency
1 in 6,455 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 1985

Rising since 1985, #1,004 for girls today.

Popularity of Adara since 1979

Babies named Adara per year in U.S. Social Security records.

83166249198020002020Most births 2025Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1970s5
1980s82
1990s477
2000s638
2010s703
2020s1,012

Meaning & origin

Adara is a name that has been steadily climbing in popularity since 1985, reflecting a trend toward soft, melodic names with international flair. First recorded in the United States in 1979, it reached its highest rank of 1,004 in 2025, when approximately 1 in 6,455 baby girls were given the name. Its top states are New Jersey, Florida, and Maryland, suggesting particular appeal in diverse, urban regions. The name's etymology is unclear, with possible roots in Arabic and Greek, but its modern usage is predominantly American. Parents are drawn to Adara's gentle sound and the flexibility of nicknames like Addie or Ada.

Adara's origins are debated. It may be a variant of the Arabic name Adara, meaning 'virgin' or 'maiden'. Alternatively, it could derive from the Greek 'adara', a poetic term for 'beauty'. In modern usage, Adara has been used in the United States since the late 20th century, often chosen for its melodic sound.

Where Adara is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few births

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Addie, Ada, Ari

Variants: Adara, Adarah, Adaira

Sibling names for Adara

Names that share Adara's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Amara, Sienna, Elara, Zara, Maya, Adna, Sephora

Brothers: Ethan, Liam, Noah, Caleb, Owen

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

A is for Adara, our favorite little girl.

A is for Adara…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Adara's letter becomes Adara's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Adara's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Adara mean?
Adara is of uncertain origin. It may mean 'virgin' in Arabic or 'beautiful' in Greek, but the etymology is not firmly established.
How popular is Adara today?
As of 2025, Adara ranks 1,004th in the U.S. and is given to about 1 in every 6,455 baby girls. It has been rising in popularity since 1985.
Is Adara a boy or girl name?
Adara is almost exclusively used as a girl's name.