Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ara
UnisexArmenian, Latin· “legendary Armenian king; Latin altar”
- Meaning
- legendary Armenian king; Latin altar
- Origin
- Armenian, Latin
- Pronunciation
- AIR-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,255
- US babies 2025
- 48
- Best rank
- #481 (1884)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Ara
Ara is an Armenian and Latin name that is usually said to mean “legendary Armenian king; Latin altar”.
Ara has several unrelated sources. In Armenian legend, Ara the Beautiful was a king whose beauty drew the Assyrian queen Semiramis to war. In Latin, ara means altar, and Ara is the name of a southern constellation, the Altar. The name is also used in Korean and as a short form of names such as Arabella. The pronunciation is AIR-uh in the United States, though AH-ruh is also common. Brief and bright, it works for any gender and fits the style of names like Ava and Ari. Because it is already short, it needs no nickname.
Popularity over time
Ara has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 36 different years. Its best national rank was #481 in 1884, and the most babies received it in 2022, when 78 were named Ara. In 2025, 48 babies were named Ara, and it ranked #3,255 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,039 in 1920, #2,915 in 1950, #3,513 in 1980, #4,193 in 2000, #4,318 in 2010, and #3,255 in 2025. Of the 3,565 US girls named Ara since records began, 14% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 389 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Miko, Fenix, Ahmari, Zaylin, and Nyjah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ara ranked highest in California and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #1845 | 11 |
| Texas | #2231 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Ara is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 80% of US babies named Ara were girls and 20% were boys.
Ara is usually pronounced AIR-uh, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with A and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Ara
A few middle names that flow with Ara: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ara
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Lists that include Ara
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ara mean?
Ara is an Armenian and Latin name that is usually said to mean “legendary Armenian king; Latin altar”.
What is the origin of the name Ara?
Ara has Armenian and Latin roots. Ara has several unrelated sources.
Is Ara a popular name?
Not especially. Ara ranked #3,255 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ara a boy or girl name?
Ara is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 80% of US babies named Ara were girls and 20% were boys.
How do you pronounce Ara?
Ara is usually pronounced AIR-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings