Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Nara
GirlJapanese· “uncertain; also a Japanese city”
- Meaning
- uncertain; also a Japanese city (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Japanese
- Pronunciation
- NAH-ruh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,476
- US babies 2025
- 72
- Best rank
- #2,447 (1909)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Nara
Nara is often said to mean “uncertain; also a Japanese city”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Japanese roots.
Nara is a short name with several possible sources, so its meaning depends on the family. It is the name of a historic Japanese city, once the imperial capital and known for its temples and deer park. In Sanskrit, nara is a word for man or human, though that sense is not usually what parents intend for a girl. Other links that are sometimes given are not well documented, so the meaning of the name as used in the US is uncertain. It is said NAH-ruh. The name is simple, international and easy to spell.
Popularity over time
Nara first appears in US Social Security records in 1909. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,447 in 1909, and the most babies received it in 2024, when 72 were named Nara. In 2025, 72 babies were named Nara, and it ranked #2,476 nationally. That is 67% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #9,938 in 1980, #10,476 in 2000, #7,787 in 2010, and #2,476 in 2025. Of the 1,052 US girls named Nara since records began, 30% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 314 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Aziza, Amaryllis, Blima, Kaely, and Orla.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Nara ranked highest in North Carolina, California, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | #1614 | 5 |
| California | #1718 | 13 |
| New York | #1781 | 7 |
| Texas | #2842 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Nara over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Nara is usually pronounced NAH-ruh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with N and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Nara
A few middle names that flow with Nara: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Nara
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Lists that include Nara
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nara mean?
Nara is often said to mean “uncertain; also a Japanese city”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Japanese roots.
What is the origin of the name Nara?
Nara has Japanese roots. Nara is a short name with several possible sources, so its meaning depends on the family.
Is Nara a popular name?
Not especially. Nara ranked #2,476 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Nara a boy or girl name?
Nara is mainly a girl's name. About 99% of US babies named Nara over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Nara?
Nara is usually pronounced NAH-ruh. 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