Tara is an enchanting and distinctive feminine given name, of Irish origin. It signifies 'hill' or 'rocky peak', deriving from the ancient word "Teamhair". This name carries a sense of strength, stability, and beauty, much like the picturesque landscapes it's drawn from. Tara gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century, likely due to its association with the legendary Irish High Queen, Medb of Connacht, who was known as 'Maeve of the Hills'. Additionally, the name has been popularized by fictional characters such as Tara King, a character in the James Bond series, and Tara Maclay from the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Tara is typically pronounced with two syllables: "TAH-rah", with the stress on the first syllable. It offers several lovely nicknames like Tarra, Terra, or even the traditional Irish short form, Tair.
The name Tara experienced significant popularity between 1970 and 1976 with a peak of 34 births in 1972. However, it declined steadily afterwards, reaching single digits by the early 1990s.