Name
Tara
Meaning
Tara is a feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning “star”.
In Sanskrit, Tara means star and names a goddess revered in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, where she embodies compassion. Western use blends this source with the Irish Hill of Tara, seat of ancient kings, giving the name a rare double inheritance.
Peaked in the US top 40 in the 1970s and remains in steady use.
Popularity in the United States
Girls
Ranked #844 in 2025 · peak #43 in 1980
Data: US Social Security Administration, top-1000 ranks.
At a glance
- Origin
- Sanskrit
- Gender
- Feminine
- Pronounced
- /TAH-rah/
Advertisement
Questions
Tara is a feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning “star”. In Sanskrit, Tara means star and names a goddess revered in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, where she embodies compassion.
Tara is traditionally a feminine (girl) name. Peaked in the US top 40 in the 1970s and remains in steady use.
The name Tara comes from Sanskrit. In Sanskrit, Tara means star and names a goddess revered in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, where she embodies compassion. Western use blends this source with the Irish Hill of Tara, seat of ancient kings, giving the name a rare double inheritance.
Tara is pronounced TAH-rah.
More names that mean star
Names that share this meaning.