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Lara
Pronounced LAR-uh /ˈlɑː.rə/High
Meaning: Protection; from the Roman Lares (protective household gods), or as a Russian diminutive of Larissa meaning 'citadel' or 'bright one'High
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Lara has two distinct streams of origin. In the Roman tradition, it connects to the Lares — the protective household deities of Roman religion — and to the nymph Lara (also called Larunda), a figure in Ovid's Fasti. In the Slavic tradition, Lara is a diminutive of Larissa, a name possibly derived from the ancient Greek city Larissa, meaning 'citadel.'
Lara gained widespread English use in the 1960s following the success of David Lean's film Doctor Zhivago. Its brevity, elegance, and international versatility have kept it in steady use across Europe, Latin America, and North America ever since. It is popular in Italy, Spain, and Brazil as well as in English-speaking countries.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Lara Fabian (1970–present)Belgian-Canadian singer known for multilingual performances across Europe and Canada.
- ★Lara Croft (fictional)Iconic video game and film heroine from the Tomb Raider franchise.
If you like Lara…
Frequently Asked
What does the name Lara mean?
Lara connects to the Roman Lares (protective deities) and to Larissa (citadel or bright one in Greek). It carries meanings of protection and brightness depending on tradition.
How do you pronounce Lara?
Lara is pronounced LAR-uh /ˈlɑː.rə/ — two syllables with stress on the first.
Where does the name Lara come from?
Lara has Roman origins (from the Lares, household gods) and Slavic origins as a short form of Larissa. It gained English use after the 1965 film Doctor Zhivago.
Is Lara a popular name?
Lara has maintained steady, moderate popularity internationally for decades. It is particularly common in Italy, Spain, and Brazil as well as in the UK and North America.