How to say it
YAR · a
ˈjɑːr.ə
Feminine
Yara
Small butterfly; water lady
What it means
Arabic, 'small butterfly,' and a water spirit of Brazilian Tupi legend.
Yara carries two lovely meanings. In Arabic it is often read as 'small butterfly,' and in Brazilian Tupi legend Iara is a beautiful water nymph who lures with her song, her name tied to 'lady of the water.' Soft and global, it travels easily across languages. Actress Yara Shahidi is a modern bearer. Said YAR-uh.
How to spell Yara
The standard spelling is Yara. Common variants include Iara, Yarah, Iyara, but Yara is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #507 in 2025, currently #507 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Arabic 'butterfly'; also the Brazilian water spirit Iara.
- Pop culture
Actress Yara Shahidi.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Yara Shahidi American actress known for Black-ish and its spin-off Grown-ish
Spelling variants
- Iara
- Yarah
- Iyara
Names with the same feeling
See Yara from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Yara mean?
- Arabic, 'small butterfly,' and a water spirit of Brazilian Tupi legend.
- What does Yara mean in Arabic?
- In Arabic, Yara means "Small butterfly; water lady." Yara carries two lovely meanings. In Arabic it is often read as 'small butterfly,' and in Brazilian Tupi legend Iara is a beautiful water nymph who lures with her song, her name tied to 'lady of the water.' Soft and global, it travels easily across languages. Actress Yara Shahidi is a modern bearer. Said YAR-uh.
- How do you pronounce Yara?
- Yara is pronounced ˈjɑːr.ə. Say it as YAR-a, with the stress on the "yar" syllable.
- How do you spell Yara?
- The standard spelling is Yara. Common spelling variants include Iara, Yarah, Iyara.
- Is Yara a boy or girl name?
- Yara is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Yara?
- Yara ranked #507 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.