Dara Girl

Popularity: #742 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DAH-rah //ˈdɑː.rə//

Origin: Hebrew; Irish

Meaning: Hebrew: 'nurture, to be compassionate'; Irish: 'oak tree'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Dara has its roots in multiple linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the Hebrew word "דָּרָ" (darah), which means "noble" or "a leader." This Hebrew term has influenced various cultures and languages, leading to its adoption in different forms. In Irish, Dara is derived from the Gaelic "Dara," which means "oak tree," symbolizing strength and endurance.

The name has also been associated with the Sanskrit word "दारा" (dārā), meaning "star," adding to its rich tapestry of meanings across cultures. The transition of the name into English likely occurred through the influence of Hebrew and Gaelic traditions, particularly during periods of cultural exchange in the British Isles.

Historically, the name Dara has been borne by notable figures, contributing to its significance. In the biblical context, Dara is mentioned as a descendant of King David in the Old Testament, which adds a layer of historical depth to the name.

The name has also appeared in various literary and religious texts, reinforcing its presence in cultural narratives. In the 19th century, the name gained further recognition through its use in literature and among various communities, reflecting the interconnectedness of cultural identities.

Culturally, Dara has been associated with themes of nobility and strength, resonating with the oak tree symbolism in Irish tradition. This connection to nature and leadership has allowed the name to endure through generations.

Additionally, the name's versatility across different cultures and languages has contributed to its lasting appeal. While diminutive forms such as Daria or Darie may exist, the name Dara itself carries a distinct identity rooted in its historical and cultural significance.

Famous people named Dara

In this section, you will find notable people named Dara. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Dara who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Dara who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Dara Ó Briain is a comedian and television presenter best known for Mock the Week, The Panel, and Dara Ó Briain's Science Club.

Dara Torres is a swimmer best known for competing in five Olympic Games and winning multiple medals.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Dara, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

NoraMaraSaraLaraTaraZara

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Dara. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

KaraLilaMiraCoraTessaZaraNinaLana

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Dara was first seen in the United States in 1893.

Dara has ranked as high as #827 nationally, which occurred in 1981, and has been most popular in New York, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

In the past 5 years the name Dara has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Dara is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Dara was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Dara.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 255 48 207
2024 276 32 244
2023 136 29 107
2022 186 38 148
2021 166 34 132
2020 195 29 166
2019 243 16 227
2018 226 20 206
2017 122 12 110
2016 82 11 71
2015 74 9 65
2014 80 6 74
2013 74 7 67
2012 80 6 74
2011 59 7 52
2010 86 9 77
2009 98 6 92
2008 89 6 83
2007 90 9 81
2006 92 11 81
2005 106 9 97
2004 117 8 109
2003 135 20 115
2002 119 7 112
2001 170 15 155
2000 174 21 153
1999 157 14 143
1998 178 16 162
1997 158 13 145
1996 169 17 152
1995 180 17 163
1994 199 28 171
1993 221 23 198
1992 241 21 220
1991 256 21 235
1990 238 19 219
1989 255 15 240
1988 264 24 240
1987 264 25 239
1986 252 24 228
1985 261 39 222
1984 287 10 277
1983 269 15 254
1982 332 11 321
1981 466 13 453
1980 440 9 431
1979 264 0 264
1978 291 6 285
1977 273 6 267
1976 254 0 254
1975 221 0 221
1974 260 6 254
1973 271 0 271
1972 248 0 248
1971 312 5 307
1970 287 8 279
1969 310 0 310
1968 233 0 233
1967 187 0 187
1966 194 0 194
1965 149 0 149
1964 164 6 158
1963 176 0 176
1962 156 5 151
1961 158 8 150
1960 132 0 132
1959 166 0 166
1958 130 0 130
1957 118 0 118
1956 132 0 132
1955 67 6 61
1954 85 0 85
1953 76 0 76
1952 77 0 77
1951 69 0 69
1950 57 0 57
1949 51 0 51
1948 24 0 24
1947 53 0 53
1946 30 0 30
1945 18 0 18
1944 7 0 7
1943 8 0 8
1942 9 0 9
1941 5 0 5
1940 7 0 7
1939 11 0 11
1937 7 0 7
1936 5 0 5
1933 10 0 10
1932 5 0 5
1930 8 0 8
1928 9 0 9
1927 7 0 7
1926 7 0 7
1925 8 0 8
1924 7 0 7
1923 14 0 14
1922 9 0 9
1921 16 0 16
1920 8 0 8
1919 7 0 7
1918 5 0 5
1917 8 0 8
1916 7 0 7
1915 6 0 6
1914 6 0 6
1913 5 0 5
1911 5 0 5
1910 5 0 5
1909 5 0 5
1905 6 0 6
1893 5 0 5

Top States for Dara (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 53
25%
TX 30
14%
FL 20
9%
NY 19
9%
NJ 17
8%
GA 14
7%
MD 9
4%
LA 7
3%
OH 7
3%
IL 7
3%
TN 7
3%
MA 6
3%
AZ 6
3%
NC 6
3%
VA 5
2%