Yara
Yara is a girl's name of Arabic origin.
Meaning
Small butterfly, friend (Arabic); water queen or lady of the river (Tupi-Guarani).
Origin and history
Yara is a name of multicultural origins, most prominently derived from Arabic meaning 'small butterfly' or 'friend', and from Tupi-Guarani mythology where Iara/Yara refers to a water nymph. It has seen a significant surge in popularity in the United States in recent years, entering the top 600 female names for the 2020–2025 period. Its short, melodic structure makes it an appealing modern choice.
Popularity in the United States
7,534 babies in the United States have been named Yara since 1880. It ranks #1929 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #572.
States where it is most popular
- CA (20.3 %)
- TX (12.7 %)
- NY (8.9 %)
- FL (6.5 %)
- MI (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 6 |
| 1970-1980 | 122 |
| 1980-1990 | 299 |
| 1990-2000 | 443 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,240 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,411 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,013 |
Famous people named Yara
- Yara Shahidi: Actress, Activist
- Yara Martinez: Actress
Fun facts
- Yara developed independently in Arabic-speaking regions and South American Tupi-Guarani mythology.
- Over 40 percent of all U.S. birth records for Yara since 1880 were registered between 2020 and 2025.