Tara

Hill, elevated place — a girl name of Irish origin

GenderGirl
OriginIrish
MeaningHill, elevated place
PronunciationTAIR-uh

Popularity of Tara in the United States

#847Rank in 2025
322Births in 2025
#35 in 1977Peak Popularity
→ Stable10-Year Trend

Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Meaning & Origin of Tara

Tara is an Irish name derived from the word "teamhair," meaning "hill" or "elevated place." The Hill of Tara in County Meath, Ireland, was the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland and a site of enormous cultural and spiritual significance in Irish history. The name also holds importance in Hinduism and Buddhism — Tara is a goddess of compassion in both traditions, and the word means "star" in Sanskrit. In the United States, the name gained popularity through Margaret Mitchell's novel "Gone with the Wind" (1936), in which Tara is the name of the O'Hara family plantation.

Tara Around the World

Tara is used in 3 languages worldwide, with 2+ international variants.

Languages
DutchArabicSeediq
Details

TypeFemale given name

International Variants
Tarra
Tarah

Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.

Nicknames for Tara

TarTarBear

Famous People Named Tara

  • Tara Lipinski — American figure skater and Olympic gold medalist
  • Tara Reid — American actress
  • Tara Strong — Canadian-American voice actress

Similar Names to Tara

If you like Tara, you might also consider these names with a similar feel.

Also consider:MaraCaraLaraCiara

Sibling Name Ideas for Tara

Looking for names that pair well with Tara? Here are some sibling name suggestions that share a similar style and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Tara mean?

Tara is a girl name of Irish origin meaning "Hill, elevated place." Tara is an Irish name derived from the word "teamhair," meaning "hill" or "elevated place." The Hill of Tara in County Meath, Ireland, was the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland and a site of enormous cultural and spiritual significance in Irish history.

How do you pronounce Tara?

Tara is pronounced TAIR-uh. Common variations include Tarah, Tarra, Tera.

Is Tara a girl name?

Yes, Tara is traditionally a girl name. Popular nicknames include Tar, TarBear.

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