A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Tara since 1939
Babies named Tara per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 7 |
| 1940s | 392 |
| 1950s | 3,175 |
| 1960s | 14,543 |
| 1970s | 65,072 |
| 1980s | 56,338 |
| 1990s | 23,370 |
| 2000s | 8,572 |
| 2010s | 2,911 |
| 2020s | 1,432 |
Meaning & origin
Tara has been in use as a given name since at least 1939, when it first appeared in U.S. records. The name saw a rapid rise in popularity after the 1939 film 'Gone with the Wind' featured the O'Hara family plantation, Tara. It reached its peak rank of 72nd in 1972, with approximately 1 in 992 girls born that year receiving the name. Although usage declined through the late 20th century, the name has been steadily rising again since 2021, moving from below rank 900 into the mid-800s. In recent years, Tara has been especially popular in states like Washington, Maryland, and Massachusetts.
Tara is derived from the Irish word 'teamhair' meaning 'elevated place' or 'hill'. In early Irish literature, Tara was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, a site of immense political and spiritual importance. The name gained widespread use in the English-speaking world after the 1939 film 'Gone with the Wind' popularized the plantation named Tara.
Where Tara 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.
“Tara” around the world
Where Tara lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
70
babies in 2024
Ireland
28
babies in 2025
New Zealand
11
babies in 2025
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: T, Tari
Variants: Tarah
Sibling names for Tara
Names that share Tara's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Erin, Bridget, Maeve, Siobhan, Deirdre, Angie, Felicia, Kari, Krista, Lacey, Lauryn, Shanna, Shelly, Trisha, Andra, Brandie, Brigid, Cayla, Charla, Ciera, Cori, Dayna, Jala, Janay, Jayna, Jena, Jenelle, Kami, Lora, Maranda, Nicki, Niki, Shawna, Shonda, Stacie, Tamarra, Tambra, Tamera, Tisha, Tonja, Tyra, Zora, Akasha, Alyshia, Anisha, Audrea, Candra, Chasidy, Cheree, Corrin, Diedra, Jerica, Karah, Karena, Kasi, Keena, Kellyann, Kenda, Kyndra, Latara, Leeanna, Leisha, Maha, Marti, Mikala, Raeanne, Randa, Sada, Shalynn, Shannah, Shara, Sharae, Sharice, Shasta, Shaunna, Shavonne, Shawnee, Shawnna, Shenna, Shera, Shonna, Sima, Sonali, Tammara, Tandra, Tari, Tausha, Teanna, Tonie, Toya, Yana, Alacia, Aleasha, Aricka, Artha, Barri, Breaunna, Carlissa, Carrisa, Chera, Coree, Dalana, Dearra, Dereka, Derika, Diondra, Disha, Elesha, Iana, Jamy, Jara, Jelisa, Jericka, Kaleen, Karalee, Karee, Karra, Karrah, Katera, Kendrah, Kendrea, Keriann, Kimara, Korri, Korrie, Korrin, Krissa, Kriti, Kyann, Liann, Lira, Lynnae, Malynda, Morna, Nandini, Natarsha, Nayana, Nikkie, Nikol, Nishka, Rishika, Saya, Shaena, Shalane, Shaleen, Sharlee, Sharma, Sharna, Shaundra, Shauntel, Shawndra, Sheela, Sherina, Sherra, Sherria, Shina, Swara, Taira, Tandi, Tanga, Tannia, Tauna, Taura, Teja, Telisa, Teria, Terria, Tomica, Tonyia, Trecia, Trenna, Trisa, Tyrah, Wendee, Aneka, Ashara, Asja, Breunna, Canda, Chivon, Coreena, Dalena, Danitra, Darah, Darrah, Denea, Derrica, Dreanna, Dwana, Gara, Gargi, Genae, Janeal, Jarae, Jatara, Kamela, Karenna, Karisha, Karrissa, Kerah, Kerie, Kerryann, Kimela, Koleen, Krisa, Larra, Lynnett, Makara, Mala, Mallika, Manika, Marra, Megin, Mihika, Nara, Niketa, Nilani, Raeana, Sadira, Shar, Sharena, Sharra, Shavaughn, Shawni, Shonta, Sonda, Sua, Tamma, Tamu, Tanny, Taressa, Tarika, Tashea, Taunia, Tayna, Tene, Tonica, Trannie, Travia, Trinia, Troi, Tunya, Yashna, Kanda, Kashara, Alysen, Anaka, Arita, Baani, Carena, Carrah, Cassara, Charda, Chatara, Chaunda, Deannah, Dhrithi, Elantra, Eryca, Farin, Farra, Gerica, Hara, Hema, Jenesa, Kare, Karilynn, Kasarah, Kateleen, Katora, Kimla, Kosha, Leanndra, Mallisa, Mitra, Natara, Neera, Nicha, Nupur, Rasa, Rola, Sanda, Sarin, Shainna, Shalae, Shanyn, Sharisa, Sharonna, Shatarra, Sherah, Shoni, Shonika, Shuna, Shuree, Sindhu, Stesha, Tacia, Tamrah, Tanara, Tarrie, Tarshia, Tracina, Trana, Trinda, Trinna, Tyrea, Tyrika, Vana, Vinaya
Brothers: Sean, Liam, Patrick, Aidan, Conor, Brent, Derrick, Dwayne, Erick, Kevin, Scott, Anish, Antron, Bret, Daren, Davon, Jamel, Jory, Kevon, Kory, Kurtis, Lamar, Laron, Torry, Tyre, Agastya, Amit, Ashwin, Atharv, Damond, Darick, Deric, Dwan, Jerron, Rashard, Sharod, Taron, Terron, Tray, Trevis, Tyran, Varun, Aaren, Abhay, Advait, Brek, Daran, Davaughn, Deaven, Delante, Derell, Deryk, Duron, Dwyane, Erek, Garin, Gerrell, Jadrian, Jarel, Javoris, Jemel, Jerami, Jeran, Jerek, Jerin, Jerret, Jervon, Kaito, Kenard, Khris, Kyre, Marque, Parsa, Ravon, Roddrick, Roshaun, Sharan, Tarence, Tarus, Tarvis, Tee, Teran, Terral, Tierre, Tramel, Trashawn, Trenell, Tyrie, Tyris, Brenon, Cristan, Daaron, Darran, Deray, Derron, Derryck, Devonn, Donzel, Dyron, Gerod, Gerrad, Gerron, Jamond, Janeil, Jarmar, Jaymon, Jeret, Jermond, Johnta, Kayron, Ketan, Kevaughn, Larri, Marquay, Ranbir, Rontrell, Sayan, Sevan, Shawan, Shawndale, Taji, Tarance, Tarron, Torris, Travas, Traves, Treon, Tryone, Ashvin, Chinmay, Cordaryl, Diron, Marquail, Teren, Tiron, Alann, Asan, Cordarryl, Coreyon, Corrion, Daric, Darrek, Datron, Demarr, Deshannon, Dhairya, Jaran, Jarious, Jarmon, Jonta, Jumar, Jurell, Jyron, Kahaan, Kelwin, Kiren, Koron, Kuron, Markale, Maurya, Myreon, Quaron, Rachit, Raymar, Rodderick, Rodgerick, Ronte, Saagar, Savan, Sharad, Tandre, Tarez, Taris, Terel, Terik, Terrall, Travonne, Travor, Tyri
Names like Tara
Names whose popularity has moved with Tara's over the last 50 years.
