Holding steady, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Arra since 1881
Babies named Arra per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Arra's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 25 |
| 1890s | 13 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 23 |
| 1920s | 38 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 6 |
| 2010s | 29 |
| 2020s | 10 |
Meaning & origin
Arra is a rare and enigmatic name that has seen minimal usage in the United States since it first appeared in records in 1881. With a rank of 14,942 as of 2025 and an incidence of roughly 1 in every 321,453 girls, it has never achieved widespread popularity. The name's peak year was its very first recorded year, 1881, after which it declined even further. Its origins are unclear, leading to various theories: it may be a variant of Ara, which has ties to Armenian mythology or serves as a diminutive of Arabic names. Alternatively, it could be a creative spelling of the similarly rare Arrah. Given its obscurity, Arra offers a highly distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with historical depth but modern uniqueness. The trajectory of its usage has remained remarkably stable over the decades, with no significant revival or surge in any recent era.
The name Arra is of uncertain origin. It may be a variant of Ara, which itself has multiple possible derivations (from the Armenian name for the sun god, or as a short form of Arabic names like Arafat or Aram). Alternatively, it could be a modern coinage or a respelling of Arrah, a name used in the 19th century. Its use in the United States dates back to at least 1881, when it was first recorded, though it remains extremely rare.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Arra
Names that share Arra's style, for a brother or sister.
