A 1980s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Hara since 1954
Babies named Hara per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 7 |
| 1960s | 17 |
| 1970s | 18 |
| 1980s | 13 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 11 |
| 2010s | 46 |
| 2020s | 12 |
Meaning & origin
Hara is a rare name in the United States, first recorded in 1954. It saw its peak popularity in 1985, though it has never been common. As of 2025, it ranked 11,932 and was given to approximately 1 in 229,610 newborns. The name has been rising in recent years since 2022, suggesting a modest revival. Its origins are uncertain, with possible roots in Greek and Japanese, but in American usage it often functions as a modern respelling or short form. Hara remains a distinctive choice, with no top state concentrations, reflecting its scattered and infrequent use across the country.
Hara has multiple possible origins. In Greek, it could be a variant of Hera, the queen of the gods, though this is speculative. In Japanese, 原 (Hara) means 'field, plain,' but as a given name it is rare. In modern English contexts, Hara may be a creative respelling or short form, such as a variant of Sarah or a nickname for longer names. Its use in the United States has been sporadic and primarily feminine, recorded since 1954.
Sibling names for Hara
Names that share Hara's style, for a brother or sister.
