Declining since 2018, #10,107 for girls today.
Popularity of Vara since 1887
Babies named Vara per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Vara's real moment was 1898.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 15 |
| 1890s | 64 |
| 1900s | 75 |
| 1910s | 144 |
| 1920s | 163 |
| 1930s | 76 |
| 1940s | 36 |
| 1950s | 21 |
| 1960s | 20 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 6 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 90 |
| 2020s | 52 |
Meaning & origin
Vara is a name of uncertain origin, with possible roots in both Sanskrit, where it means 'blessing', and Scandinavian naming traditions, where it may derive from protective elements. In the United States, it was first recorded in 1887 and experienced its peak popularity in 1898, during the 1890s decade. Since 2018, its usage has been declining, and as of 2025, it ranks 10,107th nationally, with a frequency of about 1 in every 178,585 births. The name has not seen a revival and remains uncommon, with no strong association with any particular state or region.
The name Vara has multiple proposed origins. In Sanskrit, 'vara' means 'blessing, gift, or boon', and it appears in ancient Indian texts. Alternatively, it may be a short form of Scandinavian names containing the element 'var', meaning 'caution' or 'protection', such as Varin or Vara. The name saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States, possibly influenced by Scandinavian immigrants, though it never achieved widespread popularity.
Sibling names for Vara
Names that share Vara's style, for a brother or sister.
