Rising since 1985, #2,458 for girls today.
Popularity of Nara since 1909
Babies named Nara per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 6 |
| 1920s | 18 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 10 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 17 |
| 1970s | 72 |
| 1980s | 61 |
| 1990s | 71 |
| 2000s | 150 |
| 2010s | 318 |
| 2020s | 314 |
Meaning & origin
Nara is a modern girl's name that first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1909. By 2025 it ranked #2,458, with about 1 in 22,323 newborns receiving the name. Its popularity has been rising since 1985, and it reached its peak rank so far in 2025. The name is most common in North Carolina, New York, and California. Nara belongs to a category of short, vowel-ending names that have grown in favor over recent decades, yet it remains relatively rare, offering a distinctive choice for parents seeking something simple and melodic.
Nara is a modern English name that emerged as a given name in the early 20th century. It may be derived from the Japanese city Nara or from similar sounding names like Narissa. Its rise in recent decades reflects a broader trend toward short, vowel-ended names.
Where Nara is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Nara” around the world
Where Nara lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Nara
Names that share Nara's style, for a brother or sister.
