Ara

♀ Girl

Pronounced AH-rah /ˈɑːrə/High

Meaning: Brings rain in Arabic; also a legendary Armenian king's name meaning eagle, king, or the shining one; and a southern constellation name from Latin ara meaning altarMedium

In 30 seconds: Ara is a rare two-syllable name with roots in Arabic (brings rain), Armenian legend (a divine king), and Latin astronomy (the altar constellation), offering three distinct cultural stories in just three letters.

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Origin MediumArabic, Latin, Armenian

MeaningBrings rain in Arabic; also a legendary Armenian king's name meaning eagle, king, or the shining one; and a southern constellation name from Latin ara meaning altar

U.S. rank (2025)#3255 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births48 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,565

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

In Arabic, Ara derives from roots associated with rain and is used as a name in Arabic-speaking communities. In Armenian tradition, Ara the Beautiful (Ara Geletsik) was a legendary king whose name may mean eagle or shining one, and around whom a rich mythological cycle grew. As a constellation name, Ara is among Ptolemy's 48 original constellations.

As a feminine given name in the English-speaking world, Ara is relatively modern and uncommon. It appeals to parents seeking an ultra-short, multilingual name that transcends a single culture. It has been used in the United States, Latin America, and among Armenian diaspora communities.

Did you know? Ara is the name of a constellation in the southern sky, representing an altar — in Greek mythology the gods swore their oath of allegiance to Zeus upon it before the Titanomachy, making it one of the oldest symbolic structures in the heavens.

Overall data confidence 80%

Behind the Name — Ara — Armenian and Arabic originsRidpath, A History of the Constellations — Ara constellation etymology

Variations

AraAryaAra

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

★Ara Güler (1928-2018)
Turkish photojournalist nicknamed 'the Eye of Istanbul'
★Ara Parseghian (1923-2017)
American football coach who led Notre Dame to national championships in 1966 and 1973
★Ara Malikian (1968-)
Lebanese-born violinist of Armenian descent

If you like Ara…

Arya— shares the short, open vowel-rich two-syllable pattern

Aria— same compact elegance with an Italian music feel

Zara— fellow two-syllable name with an international, fluid quality

Nara— same short, globally resonant two-syllable feminine name

Explore names like Ara

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ara mean?

Ara has multiple meanings: brings rain in Arabic, eagle or king in Armenian mythology, and altar as a Latin constellation name.

How do you pronounce Ara?

Ara is pronounced AH-rah, two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Ara a boy or girl name?

Ara is used as both a boys name (in Armenian tradition) and a girls name (in modern English-speaking use). As a given name today it leans feminine.

How popular is Ara?

Ara is a rare name in the United States but is used in Arabic, Armenian, and Spanish-speaking communities around the world.