Lara

At a Glance

Meaning

Pet form of Larissa, ultimately from a Greek place name meaning 'citadel/fortress'

Origin

Russian (pet form of Larissa)

Gender

Girl

Pronunciation

LAHR-ahListen

Lara is a classic girl's name with a worldly feel, pronounced LAHR-ah. It began as a Russian pet form of Larissa, which comes from a Greek place name meaning 'citadel' or 'fortress.' You may see it said that Lara comes from Roman mythology and means 'protection,' but that's a folk link to the household guardian spirits, the Lares, not its true source.

Meaning & Origin of Lara

Meaning: Pet form of Larissa, ultimately from a Greek place name meaning 'citadel/fortress'.

Origin: Russian (pet form of Larissa).

A common claim: Often said to derive from Roman mythology, meaning 'protection' (linked to the nymph Lara and the household guardian spirits, the Lares). Actually: The popular English name Lara is an anglicized Russian pet form of Larissa, ultimately from a Greek place name meaning 'citadel' or 'fortress' — not a direct descendant of the Roman mythological nymph. The 'protection' meaning is a folk link to the household guardian spirits, the Lares.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Lara

Popularity of Lara

Lara peaked at #223 in 1969, when 1,354 U.S. baby girls were given the name. In 2024 it ranked #740 with 379 babies, so it's a familiar name that's far less common than it once was.

Names Like Lara

These names share Lara’s style, era or origin.

• Adriana
• Lucia
• Valery
• Adaline
• Adelina
• Adrianna

FAQ

What does the name Lara mean?

Pet form of Larissa, ultimately from a Greek place name meaning ‘citadel/fortress’. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Lara?

Lara is pronounced LAHR-ah (IPA: /ˈlɑːrə/).

Is Lara a popular name right now?

Lara peaked at #223 in 1969 and is ranked #740 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1887–2024.)

Make Lara Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Lara, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.