Tara in Chinese
Tara in Chinese is 塔拉 (Tǎ Lā).
- Origin
- Irish/Sanskrit
- Meaning
- hill; star
Etymologically, Tara is Irish/Sanskrit and is commonly glossed as "hill; star". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1939 and peaked in 1972.
3 ways to write Tara
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
塔拉
Tǎ Lā
The standard transliteration of Tara: 塔 (tǎ, "tower, pagoda"), 拉 (lā, "to pull (phonetic 'la')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Syllable by syllable: 塔 (tǎ) carries "ta", 拉 (lā) carries "ra". The tone contour is 3-1 (dipping, high level).
Character breakdown
20 strokes total (simplified)- 塔
tǎ
Tone 3 · 12 strokes (simplified)
tower, pagoda
- 拉
lā
Tone 1 · 8 strokes (simplified)
to pull (phonetic 'la')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
晓岚
Xiǎo Lán
Inspired by "hill; star": 晓 (xiǎo, "dawn; to understand") + 岚 (lán, "mountain mist"), expressing land, hills and home.
Why these characters?
The idea of "hill" behind Tara is rendered by 晓, "dawn; to understand"; 岚, "mountain mist", completes it.
Character breakdown
17 strokes total (simplified)- 晓
xiǎo
Tone 3 · 10 strokes (simplified)
dawn; to understand
- 岚
lán
Tone 2 · 7 strokes (simplified)
mountain mist
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
塔岚
Tǎ Lán
塔 (tǎ, "tower, pagoda") + 岚 (lán, "mountain mist"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 塔 (tǎ), the same opening character as the transliteration 塔拉, for the "ta" sound, and replaces the rest with 岚 ("mountain mist") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
19 strokes total (simplified)- 塔
tǎ
Tone 3 · 12 strokes (simplified)
tower, pagoda
- 岚
lán
Tone 2 · 7 strokes (simplified)
mountain mist
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 173,845 girls named Tara since 1939, with the high point in 1972 (7,231 births) and the busiest decade being the 1970s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #85 to #979 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1972
- Peak decade
- 1970s
- First year
- 1939
- Total since 1880
- 173,845
More About Tara in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Tara offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Tara, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Holly in Chinese, Alexandria in Chinese, and Cynthia in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Erika in Chinese, Jocelyn in Chinese, and Briana in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Tara, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Tara to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Tara in Chinese characters?
塔拉 (Tǎ Lā), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Does Tara change in traditional Chinese?
No. 塔拉 uses only characters that are the same in both scripts, so one design works everywhere.
How popular is the name Tara?
US Social Security records show 173,845 girls named Tara since 1939, with the high point in 1972 (7,231 births) and the busiest decade being the 1970s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #85 to #979 among girls.