Taira Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TAH-ee-rah /taɪɾa/
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: peaceful; calm
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Taira has its roots in the Japanese language, where it is written as 平. The kanji 平 translates to 'flat' or 'peaceful,' reflecting a sense of calmness and stability.
The name is historically associated with the Taira clan, a prominent samurai family in Japan during the late Heian period (794-1185). The clan was known for its rivalry with the Minamoto clan, which culminated in the Genpei War, a pivotal conflict that shaped the course of Japanese history.
The Taira clan's influence extended into various aspects of culture, including literature and the arts, particularly through the epic tale of "The Tale of the Heike," which chronicles the rise and fall of the Taira family. The Taira clan's historical significance is underscored by notable figures such as Taira no Kiyomori, who was a key leader during the clan's height in the 12th century.
Kiyomori's actions and the clan's subsequent downfall after their defeat at the Battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185 marked a significant transition in Japanese feudal society, leading to the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate under the Minamoto. This shift not only altered the political landscape but also influenced the cultural narratives of Japan, embedding the Taira name within the historical consciousness of the nation.
Culturally, the name Taira embodies themes of peace and stability, resonating with the ideals of harmony that are often celebrated in Japanese culture. The legacy of the Taira clan continues to be reflected in various cultural expressions, including theater, literature, and art, where their stories are retold and their values examined.
The name Taira, therefore, carries with it a rich historical and cultural significance, representing a lineage that has left an indelible mark on Japan's past.
Famous people named Taira
In this section, you will find notable people named Taira. 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 Taira who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Taira 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.
Taira no Kiyomori is a historical figure best known for his role in the Genpei War and the establishment of the Taira clan's dominance in Japan.
Taira no Masakado is a legendary figure best known for leading a rebellion against the central government in Japan during the Heian period.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Taira, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Taira. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Taira was first seen in the United States in 1965.
Taira has ranked as high as #1181 nationally, which occurred in 1990, and has been most popular in California, New York, Illinois, Hawaii, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Taira has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Taira 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 Taira was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Taira (1998)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| HI | 6 |
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 Taira.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2008 | 15 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2006 | 13 |
| 2005 | 22 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2003 | 19 |
| 2002 | 23 |
| 2001 | 21 |
| 2000 | 28 |
| 1999 | 22 |
| 1998 | 34 |
| 1997 | 28 |
| 1996 | 27 |
| 1995 | 31 |
| 1994 | 34 |
| 1993 | 35 |
| 1992 | 35 |
| 1991 | 36 |
| 1990 | 46 |
| 1989 | 44 |
| 1988 | 45 |
| 1987 | 27 |
| 1986 | 35 |
| 1985 | 39 |
| 1984 | 29 |
| 1983 | 27 |
| 1982 | 26 |
| 1981 | 25 |
| 1980 | 23 |
| 1979 | 19 |
| 1978 | 17 |
| 1977 | 27 |
| 1976 | 15 |
| 1975 | 14 |
| 1974 | 17 |
| 1973 | 13 |
| 1972 | 18 |
| 1971 | 9 |
| 1970 | 10 |
| 1965 | 5 |