Entry № 1206 · Sanskrit, Irish origin

Tara Tara — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ TAH-rah /
Gender
Girl
Origin
Sanskrit, Irish
Meaning
"Star, tower"
Syllables
2
Rank · US 2025
№ 392
First recorded
Ancient

A name that means "star, tower".

Tara has two completely independent origins. In Sanskrit, tārā (तारा) means "star" — and Tara is the name of an important Buddhist bodhisattva, the female embodiment of compassion in Tibetan Buddhism. Green Tara and White Tara are among the most popular figures in Tibetan Buddhist iconography.

In Ireland, Tara (Teamhair) is the name of a hill in County Meath that was the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland — and a symbol of Irish national identity. Scarlett O'Hara's plantation in Gone With the Wind is named Tara in tribute.

The double origin — Buddhist star and Irish royal hill — has made Tara a name that travels easily. It works in any country, with two simple syllables and a clear, lifting meaning.

A star in Sanskrit, a hill in Ireland, a name that works on three continents.

The name in its native script.

तारा
Transliteration
Tārā
Pronunciation
/ ˈtɑː.rə /
Root
Grammatical form

Where Tara stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 392 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 174 in 1979
Babies named Tara · last year
802 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
1968
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · №174 NOW · №392

Taras before her.

Real people
Tara Westover
American author of the memoir Educated.
born 1986
Tara Reid
American actress, known for American Pie.
born 1975
In fiction
Tara
Buddhist female bodhisattva of compassion.
Buddhist tradition
Tara
Scarlett O'Hara's plantation in Gone With the Wind.
1936 novel; 1939 film

Names connected to Tara.

The number behind Tara.

5

The Free Spirit

Tara reduces to five in Pythagorean numerology — associated with curiosity, movement, and freedom.

Why families chose this name.

"I'm half Indian, half Irish. Tara was the only name that meant something to both sides."
Niamh · Mother of one · Edinburgh