Tara
Tara is a girls' name of Hindi origin meaning “star, hill, goddess.” It ranked #844 in the United States in 2025. Tara is a Sanskrit name meaning 'star' and is also a revered goddess in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
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how do you pronounce Tara?
TAH-rah
where does the name Tara come from?
Tara has more than one origin. In Irish use it comes from Teamhair, high place, the Hill of Tara, which also gave its name to the plantation in Gone with the Wind; in Sanskrit it comes from a root meaning to cross or overcome, and is commonly glossed as star.
In Hinduism, Tara is a form of the goddess Durga. In Tibetan Buddhism, she is the mother of liberation. The name also appears in Irish mythology as the Hill of Tara, the seat of the High Kings.
how popular is this name?
Tara has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 69 years since 1949, and fell outside it for 8. It peaked at #35 in 1977, and ranked #844 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #844 |
| 2017 | #983 |
| 2010 | #774 |
| 2000 | #239 |
| 1990 | #85 |
| 1980 | #43 |
| 1977 | #35 |
| 1970 | #69 |
| 1960 | #367 |
| 1950 | #876 |
| 1949 | #935 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Tara fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Tara
Tara is also a goddess in Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist tradition, worshipped in several coloured forms, including Green, Blue, Red, White and Yellow Tara.
who are famous people named Tara?
- Tara Sutaria (Indian actress)
- Tara Reid (American actress)
- Tara Lipinski (American figure skater)
what names are similar to Tara?
what names go well with Tara?
Sibling names that share Tara's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Tara
What does the name Tara mean?
Tara means “star, hill, goddess”.
What is the origin of the name Tara?
Tara comes from the Hindi naming tradition.
How popular is the name Tara?
Tara ranked #844 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1977, at #35, and it has spent 69 years in the top 1,000 since 1949.
Is Tara a boy or girl name?
Tara is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Tara?
Tara is pronounced TAH-rah, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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