Lara is a beautiful and elegant female name of Latin origin. It is derived from the Latin word "lar," which means "house" or "home." In Roman mythology, Lara was also the goddess of the hearth and home.
The name Lara has a rich history dating back to ancient times. In the Middle Ages, it was used in Italy as a shortened form of the name Laura, another Latin-derived name meaning "laurel" or "crown of laurel." Laura herself was a popular name in medieval literature, most notably appearing in Dante Alighieri's epic poem "The Divine Comedy."
Over time, Lara evolved into a distinct name in its own right and gained popularity throughout Europe. In Russia, it became particularly popular due to the influence of Russian literature. The character Lara Antipova from Boris Pasternak's novel "Doctor Zhivago" helped to further solidify Lara's place among Russian baby names.
Today, Lara continues to be a beloved name around the world, known for its elegance and sophistication. It remains popular in countries such as Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, and Australia, among others. Despite its widespread use, Lara still manages to feel unique and special due to its beautiful meaning and rich history.
In conclusion, the name Lara is a timeless and elegant choice for a baby girl. With its Latin origins and rich historical background, it offers parents a meaningful name with a touch of sophistication and grace. Whether you're drawn to its beautiful meaning or its fascinating history, choosing Lara as your daughter's name is sure to be an excellent decision.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Lara has had a varied and interesting journey in terms of popularity over the years in the United States.
The earliest recorded birth with the name Lara was in 1887, with only five babies being named Lara that year. This number remained relatively stable for several decades, fluctuating between five to eight births per year from 1891 to 1908.
However, starting from 1911, we see a significant increase in the popularity of the name Lara. The number of births with this name jumped to 12 that year and continued to rise steadily over the next few decades. In 1925, there were 26 babies named Lara, marking the first time the name reached triple digits.
The 1950s saw a further surge in popularity for the name Lara. From 18 births in 1954, the number of babies named Lara more than doubled to 39 in just three years by 1957. This upward trend continued into the 1960s, with 49 births in 1960 and 55 in 1961.
The most significant leap occurred between 1965 and 1966, when the number of babies named Lara increased from 65 to a staggering 236 - more than a threefold increase. This dramatic rise might be attributable to external influences such as pop culture or societal shifts during this period.
The popularity of the name Lara peaked in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with over 1,000 births each year from 1967 to 1972. However, like many names, Lara's popularity began to decline after this peak.
From the mid-1970s onwards, the number of babies named Lara fluctuated between around 500 to 800 births per year. The name maintained a steady level of popularity throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with around 400 to 600 births annually.
In recent years, Lara's popularity has seen renewed growth. After dipping below 300 births in the early 2000s, the number of babies named Lara has been on the rise again. In 2021 and 2022, there were 426 and 424 births respectively, indicating that the name continues to appeal to parents today.
In total, over the span of these statistics (from 1887 to 2023), approximately 29,375 babies have been named Lara in the United States. This demonstrates the enduring appeal and timelessness of this name across generations.