Damara

Meaning & origin

Damara is a rare and distinctive girl's name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1962. It reached its peak popularity in 2004, but its trajectory has been falling since then, and in 2025 it ranked 9,457 with only about 1 in every 160,727 baby girls receiving the name. The name's origins are somewhat unclear; it may be a modern English variant of the Hebrew name Tamara, meaning 'date palm', or it could be inspired by the Damara people of Namibia. Despite its obscurity, Damara has a melodic, three-syllable sound that fits with other popular feminine names of its era. Because it has never been widely used, there are no top states for the name, reflecting its scattered, low-frequency usage across the country. Parents choosing Damara often appreciate its rarity and elegant feel.

Damara is a name of uncertain origin, likely emerging in the 20th century as a creative variant of the more established Tamara. Tamara itself is a Hebrew name meaning 'date palm' (from tamar) or a Russian variant of Tamar. Damara may also have been influenced by place names such as the Damara region of Namibia or the Damara people. The name has seen modest use in the United States since the 1960s, with a peak in 2004.