Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Lara
GirlRussian, Greek· “short for Larisa; uncertain”
- Meaning
- short for Larisa; uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Russian, Greek
- Pronunciation
- LAHR-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #693
- US babies 2025
- 409
- Best rank
- #223 (1969)
- Peak year
- 1969
Meaning and origin of Lara
Lara is often said to mean “short for Larisa; uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Russian and Greek roots.
Lara is best known as a Russian short form of Larisa, a name that may come from the ancient Greek city of Larissa or from a word meaning "citadel," although its origin is uncertain. In Roman mythology Lara is also the name of a nymph in Ovid's Fasti. Lord Byron wrote a narrative poem called Lara, and the character Lara in Boris Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago made the name famous in the West, helped by the film's theme song. The video game heroine Lara Croft added a more adventurous image. Lara is short, graceful and easy to pronounce in many languages.
Popularity over time
Lara first appears in US Social Security records in 1887. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 60 different years, starting in 1966. Its best national rank was #223 in 1969, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,354 babies. In 2025, 409 babies were named Lara, and it ranked #693 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #2,125 in 1920, #2,495 in 1950, #393 in 1980, #848 in 2000, #881 in 2010, and #693 in 2025. Of the 30,168 US girls named Lara since records began, 25% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 5,412 babies. Since 2010, 5,804 more have been named Lara.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Deana, Sonja, Tonia, Rochelle, and Raquel.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lara ranked highest in Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #327 | 18 |
| Florida | #338 | 54 |
| Connecticut | #368 | 8 |
| Illinois | #369 | 28 |
| New York | #399 | 44 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lara is usually pronounced LAHR-uh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with L and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Lara
A few middle names that flow with Lara: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lara
Similar names
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Lists that include Lara
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lara mean?
Lara is often said to mean “short for Larisa; uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Russian and Greek roots.
What is the origin of the name Lara?
Lara has Russian, Greek, and Latin roots. Lara is best known as a Russian short form of Larisa, a name that may come from the ancient Greek city of Larissa or from a word meaning "citadel," although its origin is uncertain.
Is Lara a popular name?
Yes. Lara ranked #693 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Lara a boy or girl name?
Lara is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lara?
Lara is usually pronounced LAHR-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