The name Tara is of Irish origin and has a rich history behind it. It is derived from the ancient Irish word " Teamhair", which means "throne" or "hill". In Irish mythology, Tara was known as the Hill of the Kings, where the High Kings of Ireland were coronated.
The name Tara also has significance in other cultures. In Hinduism, Tara is a female deity who is believed to grant wishes and protect her devotees. She is often depicted with four arms, each holding different symbols representing her power and benevolence.
In Buddhism, Tara is known as the "Mother of Liberation" or the "Saviouress". She is revered for her compassion and wisdom, and is believed to embody the qualities of enlightenment and bodhicitta. There are many forms of Tara in Buddhism, each associated with different attributes such as power, healing, and longevity.
The name Tara has also been popularized by various forms of media. It was used as the name of the main character in the 1992 film "Tara Road" based on the novel of the same name by Maeve Binchy. Additionally, it is the name of a fictional planet in the Star Trek universe.
Today, Tara is considered a unisex name but it has been more commonly used for females. It has gained popularity as a given name due to its unique sound and association with powerful and positive figures from different cultures.
The name Tara has had a fascinating journey in terms of popularity over the decades in the United States. It first appeared on the scene with just 7 births recorded in 1939, showing it was quite rare at that time.
However, it began to gain traction over the following years, with birth numbers increasing steadily throughout the 40s and 50s. By 1954, we saw a significant jump with 259 births, indicating that Tara was starting to become more popular among parents-to-be.
The 60s marked a turning point for the name Tara. It reached its first peak in popularity during this decade, with birth numbers climbing significantly year by year. In 1968 alone, there were 2186 births, demonstrating that Tara had firmly established itself as a favored choice among parents.
The 70s maintained this trend, with Tara remaining consistently popular throughout the decade. It reached another peak in 1972 with 7233 births. However, after this point, we begin to see a decline in popularity.
Starting from the late 80s and continuing into the 90s, birth numbers for Tara steadily decreased. This trend continued well into the new millennium, with numbers dropping significantly each year. By 2016, there were only 261 births recorded, indicating that Tara had fallen out of favor among parents-to-be.
Despite this decline in popularity, Tara remains a name with historical significance and a rich journey through time. It has experienced several periods of significant popularity and has left its mark on American naming trends. As of 2023, it continues to be chosen by some parents each year, contributing to an impressive total of 175237 births recorded over the decades in the United States.
It's interesting to observe how societal influences can shape the popularity of names over time, and Tara serves as a great example of this phenomenon. While its current popularity may not be at the heights it reached during the 60s and 70s, it remains an important part of American naming history.