Iara is a unique and captivating name of Brazilian origin. It was popularized by the Brazilian poet Castro Alves in his poem "A Cachoeira da Ajuda" (The Waterfall of Help), where he used it to represent the spirit of a waterfall. The name Iara is derived from the Tupi-Guarani indigenous language and translates to "river" or "water". In Brazilian folklore, Iara is also known as the mermaid of the Amazon, often depicted as a beautiful woman who lures men into the river with her enchanting music. While its exact origin remains unclear, Iara has become an iconic name in Brazil, symbolizing grace, beauty, and the mystical allure of the country's rivers.
The name Iara has seen a steady presence in the United States over the past two decades, with an average of approximately 10 births per year. The peak years for this name were 2007 and 2008, during which there were 14 and 16 births respectively. However, there have been fluctuations in popularity, with some years seeing as few as five births (2003, 2015) and others reaching a high of 16 births in recent years (2022). Overall, since the year 2002, there have been a total of 195 babies named Iara born in the United States. This name has maintained a consistent level of popularity over time, with no significant trends of increase or decrease in recent years.