A 1960s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Lara since 1887
Babies named Lara per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 30 |
| 1900s | 41 |
| 1910s | 115 |
| 1920s | 189 |
| 1930s | 138 |
| 1940s | 121 |
| 1950s | 241 |
| 1960s | 4,195 |
| 1970s | 7,612 |
| 1980s | 5,412 |
| 1990s | 3,047 |
| 2000s | 3,218 |
| 2010s | 3,384 |
| 2020s | 2,420 |
Meaning & origin
Lara is a compact, internationally friendly name with a history that stretches back to Roman mythology and ancient Greece. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1887, but its modern usage owes much to the 1960s. Lara peaked in popularity in 1969, and after a period of decline, it has been steadily rising again since 1997. In 2025, it ranked 691st, with a one-in-3,930 incidence among newborn girls. The name's highest concentration has historically been in states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Illinois. Its simple elegance and cross-cultural resonance make it a perennial choice that feels both classic and fresh.
Lara derives from the Latin 'Lar', referring to a tutelary deity (plural 'Lares'). In Roman mythology, Lara (or Larunda) was a nymph who revealed secrets of the gods. The name also appears as a short form of Larissa, an ancient Greek name borne by a nymph and a city. Lara gained popularity in English-speaking countries via Russian literature and is also used as a standalone name in many European languages.
Where Lara is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Lara” around the world
Where Lara lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
370
babies in 2024
Ireland
47
babies in 2025
New Zealand
20
babies in 2025
Quebec
#62
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lari, Lala, Rara
Sibling names for Lara
Names that share Lara's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Sofia, Emma, Clara, Maya, Leah, Amaia, Bree, Doria, Rikki, Tera, Adora, Kamilla, Kati, Kitana, Loran, Loria, Rafaela, Shera, Tamatha, Thais, Veronika, Xena, Aleksa, Gari, Karia, Kimara, Kiri, Landa, Lenee, Lynde, Mariza, Tais, Taria, Taura, Terrah, Tira, Xara, Camira, Darrah, Gara, Ilina, Iraida, Labrea, Laisa, Laraya, Litha, Nica, Sharra, Sola, Talita, Yaiza, Neave, Carrah, Deara, Duru, Eira, Elantra, Farra, Hara, Kare, Larie, Luzia, Malary, Sarin, Sharisa, Tahra, Tanith
Brothers: Leo, Liam, Ethan, Lucas, Max, Iker, Leron, Damir, Lamarr, Paulo, Ayrton, Caio, Demone, Garin, Joss, Karmello, Labron, Laray, Marque, Renan, Tarus, Vasco, Vinicius, Arran, Ege, Kauan, Keil, Kevis, Lamount, Leven, Mathayus, Romar, Yago, Zlatan, Bento, Charvez, Daric, Garrus, Jaran, Leontae, Quamel, Rubens, Sedale, Vitor
Names like Lara
Names whose popularity has moved with Lara's over the last 50 years.
