Holding steady, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Arah since 1882
Babies named Arah per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Arah's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 11 |
| 1890s | 17 |
| 1900s | 16 |
| 1910s | 81 |
| 1920s | 84 |
| 1930s | 44 |
| 1940s | 10 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 48 |
| 1980s | 110 |
| 1990s | 21 |
| 2000s | 28 |
| 2010s | 86 |
| 2020s | 36 |
Meaning & origin
Arah is a seldom-used name in the United States, first recorded in 1882, the earliest year of Social Security data. Its rarity has remained consistent over time, with no notable spikes; the name ranks 13,208 as of 2025, with an occurrence rate of about 1 in 267,878 births. The name may draw interest from parents seeking a short, vowel-heavy alternative to more common choices like Ava or Emma. While no top states show significant usage, its historical persistence suggests a quiet continuity. The uncertain etymology adds an air of mystery, appealing to those who prefer names with ambiguous or multiple possible origins.
The name Arah appears in English records since the 19th century, though its exact derivation is unclear. It may be a variant of the biblical name Ara (mentioned in 1 Chronicles 7:38) or a shortened form of names like Arabella or Araminta. Some sources suggest it could be a feminine form of Aaron, but this is speculative. Its usage has remained rare, with occasional appearance in U.S. birth data since 1882.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Ara
Sibling names for Arah
Names that share Arah's style, for a brother or sister.
