Dara

♀ Girl

Pronounced DAIR-uh /ˈdɛər.ə/High

Meaning: Oak tree; from Irish Gaelic dara/doire (oak, oak grove)Medium

In 30 seconds: A name with roots in Irish Gaelic ('oak') and Hebrew ('pearl of wisdom'). Its soft two-syllable sound and multiple cultural origins make it a gentle, multicultural choice with genuine ancient depth.

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Origin MediumIrish, Hebrew, Khmer

MeaningOak tree; from Irish Gaelic dara/doire (oak, oak grove)

U.S. rank (2025)#1129 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births207 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1981

Total births (all-time)≈ 13,691

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

Dara has at least three independent origins. In Irish Gaelic it relates to doire (oak, oak grove), the same root as Derry (Doire in Irish). In Hebrew, Dara appears in 1 Chronicles as a name of uncertain meaning, often glossed as 'pearl of wisdom.' In Khmer it means 'star.'

Dara has been used in the U.S. across multiple communities — Irish American, Jewish American, and Cambodian American families. It ranked #1026 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Dara is also a Khmer (Cambodian) name meaning 'star' — making it one of the rare names that means something beautiful in Irish Gaelic, Hebrew, and Khmer simultaneously.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name — Dara — multiple etymologiesU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

DarahDarra

Nicknames

Dar

Famous Bearers

★Dara Torres (1967-)
American Olympic swimmer with twelve medals across five Games
★Dara O Briain (1972-)
Irish comedian and television presenter
★Dara Khosrowshahi (1969-)
Iranian-American business executive and CEO of Uber

If you like Dara…

Tara— Irish place-name ending in -ara with the same gentle two-syllable feel

Sara— two-syllable -ara name with the same soft, classic character

Lara— two-syllable -ara name with a similar simple directness

Mara— Hebrew -ara name meaning bitter or strength

Nara— two-syllable -ara name with an international, nature feel

Explore names like Dara

By themehebrew two-syllable nature irish multicultural

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Dara mean?

Dara has multiple origins: 'oak tree' in Irish Gaelic (from doire), 'pearl of wisdom' in Hebrew, and 'star' in Khmer.

How do you pronounce Dara?

It's said DAIR-uh — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Dara a boy or girl name?

Dara is used for both sexes across different cultures.

How popular is Dara?

Dara ranked #1026 for U.S. girls in 2024.