Taras is a name of Ukrainian origin and meaning "snow". It is derived from the Slavic word "tar" which means "snow". The name Taras has a rich history in Ukraine, particularly in connection with the famous poet Taras Shevchenko who was born with the name Taras. He became known for his poetry and paintings that promoted Ukrainian nationalism and culture during the 19th century. Today, Taras remains a popular name in Ukraine and other Slavic countries.
The name Taras has a notable presence in the United States, with a total of 660 births recorded over the years. The earliest recorded birth was in 1922, and since then, there have been fluctuations in its popularity.
In the early to mid-20th century, the number of births with the name Taras hovered around 5-12 per year, with spikes occurring periodically. For instance, there were 26 births in 1965 and 36 births in 1969, indicating a brief period of increased popularity.
However, from the late 1970s onwards, the number of births with the name Taras began to decline steadily. By the early 2000s, it fluctuated between 5-12 births per year. This trend continued until recently, with 6 births recorded in 2022 and 10 births in 2023.
Despite the decrease in its popularity over time, Taras remains a unique and distinctive name, with a consistent though modest presence in the U.S. birth records. Its steady yet unspectacular performance is reflected in its statistical data, showing that while it's not among the most popular names, it's also far from being extinct.