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Home › Baby Names Directory › Iara

Iara

♀ Girl

Pronounced ee-AH-rah /iˈɑ.rɑ/Medium

Meaning: From Tupi (Brazilian), 'the lady of the water' — Iara, a water-spirit/mermaid of Brazilian folklore; we note the folkloreLow

In 30 seconds: The lady of the water: Iara is a Brazilian water spirit. Lyrical, cultural, and warm (said 'ee-AH-rah').
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Origin LowTupi
MeaningFrom Tupi (Brazilian), 'the lady of the water' — Iara, a water-spirit/mermaid of Brazilian folklore; we note the folklore
U.S. rank (2024)#7030 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births16 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2009
Total births (all-time)≈ 211

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202420022024

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

Iara comes from Tupi (Brazilian), 'the lady of the water' — Iara, a celebrated water-spirit/mermaid of Brazilian folklore (we note the folklore). A lyrical, cultural name (said 'ee-AH-rah'; nickname Ya).

In the U.S. it appears in Brazilian families. Rare, the-lady-of-the-water at the root, and cultural.

Did you know? Iara means 'the lady of the water' in Tupi — a beautiful water-spirit/mermaid of Brazilian folklore who lures with her song — a lyrical, cultural name (we note the folklore; said 'ee-AH-rah').
Overall data confidence 42%
References — Iara — folklore noted

Variations

YaraIarah

Nicknames

Ya

Famous Bearers

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If you like Iara…

Yara— a fellow spelling
Mara— a sound-neighbor -ara girls' name
Jaci— another Tupi/Brazilian girls' name
Izara— a similarly popular pick
Yarah— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Iara

By themeuncertainbraziliantupi
By meaningSea / Water

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Iara mean?

Iara is Tupi for 'the lady of the water' — a water-spirit of Brazilian folklore. We note the folklore.

How do you pronounce Iara?

It's said ee-AH-rah /iˈɑ.rɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Iara a boy or girl name?

Iara is a girl's name.

How popular is Iara?

Iara is a rare name in the U.S.

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