This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance
- Meaning
- As a Sanskrit name, an epithet of the god Shiva (roughly 'remover, seizer'); also a Japanese surname (原, 'field/plain') used as a given name
- Origin
- Sanskrit; also Japanese (surname)
- Gender
- Primarily used for girls
- Pronunciation
- HAH-ruh
Hara carries two separate meanings depending on which tradition you look to: in Sanskrit it's an epithet for the god Shiva, roughly meaning 'remover' or 'seizer,' while in Japanese it's a surname (原), meaning 'field' or 'plain,' that's also used as a given name. Because those two meanings come from unrelated languages, it's worth being clear about which one you intend for your child.
Meaning & Origin of Hara
Meaning: As a Sanskrit name, an epithet of the god Shiva (roughly 'remover, seizer'); also a Japanese surname (原, 'field/plain') used as a given name.
Origin: Sanskrit; also Japanese (surname).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Hara
HAH-ruhIPA /ˈhɑːrə/
Popularity of Hara
Hara has never been common in the U.S.: it peaked at #4863 in 1954 with just 7 babies given the name, and by 2024 it had fallen to #16106 with only 5 babies.
Names Like Hara
These names have followed a similar path to Hara in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Hara mean?
As a Sanskrit name, an epithet of the god Shiva (roughly ‘remover, seizer’); also a Japanese surname (原, ‘field/plain’) used as a given name. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Hara?
Hara is pronounced HAH-ruh (IPA: /ˈhɑːrə/).
Is Hara a popular name right now?
Hara peaked at #4863 in 1954 and is ranked #16106 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1954–2024.)
Make Hara Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Hara, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Hara? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
🎲 Think you know your baby names? Take the quiz!
📱 The Baby Names app is here
Swipe names, match with your partner the moment you both say yes, and claim a free Name Art print of your winner. Free to download. See all our apps →




