Dara
Dara is an unisex name of Irish; Persian; Khmer origin, meaning “Oak (Irish); possessor (Persian); star (Khmer)”.
| Meaning | Oak (Irish); possessor (Persian); star (Khmer) |
|---|---|
| Gender | Unisex |
| Origin | Irish; Persian; Khmer |
| Pronunciation | DAH-rah |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic, Muslim, Buddhist |
| Used in | Ireland, Iran, Cambodia, United States |
Meaning and origin of Dara
Dara arose independently in several languages. In Irish it comes from Mac Dara, 'son of the oak', and is a boy's name honouring the Connemara saint Mac Dara. In Persian, Dara is the short form of Darius, roughly 'one who holds firm' or 'possessor', and was borne by the Mughal prince Dara Shikoh. In Khmer, dara means 'star', from Sanskrit tara, and is used for both sexes. In the US it is also a girl's name.
Is Dara a religious name?
Dara has no single religious identity: it is a Catholic saint's name in Ireland, a Persian name used by Muslim families, and a Khmer name common among Buddhist Cambodians.
How popular is Dara?
Moderately common in Ireland, Iran and Cambodia; uncommon elsewhere.
Gifts with the name Dara
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a small commission from these links, at no extra cost to you.
Spellings and variants of Dara
Names similar to Dara
More unisex names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dara mean?
Dara means 'Oak (Irish); possessor (Persian); star (Khmer)'. It is of Irish; Persian; Khmer origin.
Does Dara have a religious meaning?
Dara has no single religious identity: it is a Catholic saint's name in Ireland, a Persian name used by Muslim families, and a Khmer name common among Buddhist Cambodians.
How do you pronounce Dara?
Dara is pronounced DAH-rah.
Is Dara a boy or girl name?
Dara is used for both boys and girls.