Lara
Lara: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈlɑː.ɹə/
Meaning and origin of Lara
- A female given name from Russian or Ukrainian.
Etymology
Anglicized from Russian Ла́ра (Lára), a Russian pet form of Larissa, known from the novel (1957) and film (1965) Dr Zhivago.
How popular is Lara?
Since 1880, 30,168 girls and 34 boys in the U.S. have been named Lara (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #223 in 1969. Its highest rank for boys was #3790 in 1967. In 2025 it ranked #693 for girls, with 409 babies given the name.
Names similar to Lara
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Russian or Ukrainian girl names
Sibling name ideas for Lara
Sister and brother names that share Lara's Russian or Ukrainian roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Lara FAQ
What does the name Lara mean?
A female given name from Russian or Ukrainian. Anglicized from Russian Ла́ра (Lára), a Russian pet form of Larissa, known from the novel (1957) and film (1965) Dr Zhivago.
What is the origin of the name Lara?
Lara is listed as a name of Russian or Ukrainian origin.
How popular is the name Lara?
Since 1880, 30,168 girls and 34 boys in the U.S. have been named Lara (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #223 in 1969. Its highest rank for boys was #3790 in 1967. In 2025 it ranked #693 for girls, with 409 babies given the name.
Is Lara a boy or girl name?
Lara is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 30,168 girls and 34 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.