Girl · 73rd of 27,321
Tara
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
176,033
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1972
Peak Popularity Year
7,268
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Tara stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Tara originates from the Sanskrit word meaning 'star', reflecting a celestial significance. The name has evolved from its ancient roots in Sanskrit and Pali to become popular in modern English. It is associated with strong and positive traits, while also having no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈtɑːrə/
Origin
Sanskrit
Etymology
The name Tara comes from the Sanskrit word 'तारा' which means 'star'. In Hindu mythology, Tara is also the name of a goddess associated with the stars.
Meaning
star
Language Evolution
Sanskrit: तारा (Tārā), Pali: तारा (Tārā), Modern English: Tara
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the 20th century, particularly influenced by its use in literature and film.
Variants & Derivatives
Tarragh, Tarae, Taree
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Tara is perceived as a modern and elegant name, often associated with strength and beauty.
Famous People
Tara Reid - American actress, Tara Lipinski - American figure skater and Olympic champion, Tara Strong - Canadian voice actress
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 7,268 peak births in 1972
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Jersey
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 5 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 10 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 6135th of 7552 | 15 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2156th of 10718 | 304 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3776th of 16616 | 219 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3368th of 9204 | 134 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 433rd of 12526 | 8,530 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 67th of 19264 | 80,809 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 73rd of 27321 | 68,629 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 349th of 35406 | 14,364 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1047th of 30306 | 3,024 |