Rising since 1987, #507 for girls today.
Popularity of Yara since 1969
Babies named Yara per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 122 |
| 1980s | 299 |
| 1990s | 443 |
| 2000s | 1,240 |
| 2010s | 2,411 |
| 2020s | 3,013 |
Meaning & origin
Yara is a name of layered origins, both Arabic and Scandinavian, that has been used in the United States since 1969. Its steady rise in popularity began in 1987, and by 2025 it reached its highest rank yet at 507, with about 1 in every 2,747 girls receiving the name. The name is most popular in Michigan, Maryland, and Virginia. While Yara remains relatively uncommon, its cross-cultural appeal and melodic sound have contributed to its growing favor among modern parents. Its meaning ranges from the poetic 'small butterfly' or 'water lily' in Arabic to the elemental 'earth' in Old Norse, giving it a natural and international character.
Yara has multiple potential origins. In Arabic, it is derived from 'يَارَا' (yara) meaning 'small butterfly' or 'water lily', and is used in the Arab world. In Scandinavia, it is a short form of names beginning with 'Yar-' or may be related to Old Norse 'jǫrð' (earth). In Hebrew, it is sometimes considered a variant of 'Yarden' or 'Yael'. The name gained international familiarity through the character Yara Greyjoy in George R.R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series, beginning with 'A Feast for Crows' (2005). It has been used in English-speaking countries since the late 20th century.
Where Yara 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.
“Yara” around the world
Where Yara lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
245
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
New Zealand
11
babies in 2025
Quebec
30
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Yara
Names that share Yara's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Lena, Nora, Mira, Zara, Lila, Bayan, Hala, Lailah, Laylah, Leyla, Nada, Arwa, Azra, Haneen, Haya, Heba, Lamya, Muna, Neda, Nour, Rana, Razan, Reem, Rima, Sabra, Samia, Yarely, Zayna, Zia, Deema, Dunia, Fara, Hadeel, Hayat, Kenza, Lamiya, Layal, Manar, Maram, Maysa, Misk, Najla, Najwa, Nuha, Omaira, Qamar, Rahaf, Raneem, Salwa, Shahd, Suha, Yarel, Zeina, Afra, Almas, Amaal, Ammara, Bana, Diala, Elaf, Haifa, Itati, Layali, Nymeria, Rayhana, Sayda, Shahad, Suleima, Yachet, Yamari, Yanci, Yanel, Yanique, Yenty, Yisel, Yovanna, Enas, Faten, Massa, Nouri, Ghada, Hanaan, Hanin, Hebah, Idaliz, Imane, Inas, Lamis, Maysoon, Meriem, Naela, Raneen, Riham, Rimas, Samaa, Shatha, Sondos, Yailene, Yalexa, Yaqueline, Yaret, Yiselle, Zuha
Brothers: Eli, Ravi, Kai, Leo, Zane, Emir, Karam, Jad, Naim, Reda, Samer, Abir, Anis, Aymen, Bader, Basel, Ehab, Fadi, Fahd, Fares, Feras, Ghaith, Layth, Maher, Majd, Majed, Namir, Nizar, Rakan, Ramy, Ramzi, Samy, Shaden, Shadi, Sinan, Tameem, Tamim, Wael, Yareth, Yasiel, Yordi, Yurem, Zein, Zeyad, Ziad, Amer, Ashur, Aws, Badr, Basim, Bassel, Fady, Hazem, Issam, Iyad, Khalel, Khayri, Kinan, Meer, Nayib, Quanah, Qusai, Seif, Taym, Wadie, Wisam, Wissam, Yamen, Yomar, Zafir, Zaim, Aous, Ayad, Azzam, Basem, Essam, Fahed, Ghali, Haytham, Hazim, Jaser, Kassem, Khoury, Louay, Luay, Mohab, Nameer, Nassim, Nezar, Radwan, Ramez, Saber, Safir, Sharbel, Yeremy, Yojan, Yordin, Yorel, Yosiel, Yoskar, Yosmar, Yunay, Zahi
