Ara
Every Ara since 1880 — 4,866 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ara
Ara is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #3,255 in 2025 with 48 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 4,866 American babies have been named Ara — about 73% girls and 27% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2021, when 93 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ara stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ara year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 48 | #3,255 | 10 | #7,714 |
| 2024 | 51 | #3,125 | 14 | #6,217 |
| 2023 | 52 | #3,144 | 20 | #4,895 |
| 2022 | 78 | #2,365 | 9 | #8,361 |
| 2021 | 75 | #2,387 | 18 | #5,127 |
| 2020 | 55 | #2,933 | 17 | #5,246 |
| 2019 | 54 | #3,006 | 16 | #5,568 |
| 2018 | 62 | #2,752 | 12 | #6,732 |
| 2017 | 62 | #2,750 | 17 | #5,308 |
| 2016 | 53 | #3,105 | 13 | #6,381 |
| 2015 | 49 | #3,304 | 10 | #7,531 |
| 2014 | 49 | #3,278 | 7 | #9,718 |
| 2013 | 42 | #3,650 | 10 | #7,570 |
| 2012 | 55 | #3,045 | 9 | #8,199 |
| 2011 | 28 | #4,932 | 10 | #7,539 |
| 2010 | 34 | #4,318 | 6 | #10,858 |
| 2009 | 30 | #4,814 | 10 | #7,726 |
| 2008 | 26 | #5,454 | 13 | #6,419 |
| 2007 | 22 | #6,124 | 7 | #9,850 |
| 2006 | 29 | #4,830 | 13 | #6,117 |
| 2005 | 27 | #4,847 | 14 | #5,591 |
| 2004 | 19 | #6,250 | 8 | #8,190 |
| 2003 | 20 | #5,830 | 6 | #9,654 |
| 2002 | 19 | #5,920 | 9 | #7,083 |
| 2001 | 13 | #7,778 | 10 | #6,480 |
| 2000 | 29 | #4,193 | 7 | #8,256 |
| 1995 | 14 | #6,283 | 10 | #5,524 |
| 1990 | 14 | #6,146 | 13 | #4,183 |
| 1985 | 22 | #3,737 | 21 | #2,431 |
| 1980 | 23 | #3,513 | 27 | #2,004 |
| 1975 | 24 | #2,971 | 34 | #1,531 |
| 1970 | 6 | #7,113 | 16 | #2,301 |
| 1965 | 15 | #3,270 | 13 | #2,274 |
| 1960 | 9 | #4,451 | 11 | #2,541 |
| 1955 | 9 | #4,082 | — | — |
| 1950 | 13 | #2,915 | — | — |
| 1945 | 21 | #1,826 | — | — |
| 1940 | 20 | #1,794 | — | — |
| 1935 | 21 | #1,665 | 15 | #1,841 |
| 1930 | 16 | #2,116 | 8 | #3,036 |
| 1925 | 35 | #1,350 | 11 | #2,601 |
| 1920 | 51 | #1,039 | 8 | #3,223 |
| 1915 | 47 | #969 | 8 | #2,842 |
| 1910 | 23 | #896 | 5 | #1,601 |
| 1905 | 17 | #903 | — | — |
| 1900 | 25 | #726 | — | — |
| 1895 | 22 | #658 | — | — |
| 1890 | 22 | #558 | — | — |
| 1885 | 17 | #523 | — | — |
| 1880 | 6 | #744 | — | — |
Famous people named Ara
- Ara Güler Journalist · 1928–2018
- Ara Malikian Musician · b. 1968
- Ara Abrahamian Athlete · b. 1975
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Ara in 2025?
Ara ranked #3,255 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 48 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Ara?
4,866 babies have been named Ara in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ara most popular?
Ara peaked in 2021, when 93 newborns received the name.
Is Ara a boy or girl name?
Ara is used for both: about 73% of babies named Ara have been girls and 27% boys.
Is the name Ara rising or falling?
Ara is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Ara?
Well-known people named Ara include Ara Güler (journalist), Ara Malikian (musician), Ara Abrahamian (athlete).