Message: "Dara" - Behind the Name

Dara

by Lizzy1104 (guest)

12/21/2018, 5:18 AM

One of my favorite names! Friend wants it as an English name for her eight month old daughter (she's from an Asian country but they recently moved to the States).
Yay or nay?

#Dara

Replies

- erb816 +1

12/23/2018, 4:55 PM

It's technically an Irish male name, but the only Dara I've ever known was female (classmate in high school who did theater with me). Probably its similarity to Sara and Farah make it seem feminine to me. It hasn't been on my radar in years, but I don't think it's a bad name.

- Lizzy1104 (guest)

12/26/2018, 6:13 AM

That's good enough for me. Thank you!

- Dorchadas (Lucille) +1

12/22/2018, 1:04 AM

Dara seems like it could be a variant spelling of Tara (at least in some English dialects) and as such I'm pretty sure that some people are going to mistake the name of your friend's daughter for Tara at first. It could potentially be a pain in the tuchus for her, so then Daria would be the better option, as the -ee- sound in it will prevent people from mistaking it for Tara.

- Lizzy1104 (guest)

12/22/2018, 2:15 AM

I gotta admit, Tara was on her list as well. Then she saw the behindthename opinions, someone said it was "a rat" backwards, and it kind of put her off. A bit of a silly reason, but it was the same reason she gave up on Lana :( Still, they're both incredibly beautiful names, and we were sorry to see them go. A lot of people seem to love Daria, so we're definitely putting that on the list now. Thank you so much!

- Kinola +1

12/21/2018, 7:59 PM

I prefer Daria.

- Lizzy1104 (guest)

12/22/2018, 2:09 AM

Already two threads preferring Daria. Guess we'll have to take that as an option ;)

- mirfak +1

12/21/2018, 3:31 PM

I say yay. It's a pretty and unusual name, and not difficult. There really isn't a name that's immune from initial mispronunciation, so that wouldn't stop me. People are teachable.

- Lizzy1104 (guest)

12/21/2018, 5:21 PM

I know, right? I was surprised to find out there aren't more Daras out there haha. Thank you for your lovely feedback!:D

- Dracotorix +1

12/21/2018, 3:26 PM

Sure. It's not great but it's not bad at all, and it's simple without being overly popular. I've heard of a few Daras but I only know one (who is around my age, born in the easly 90's)

- Lizzy1104 (guest)

12/21/2018, 5:17 PM

Yay!! Simple without any negative associations, that's what we're aiming for. Thank you

- queenv +1

12/21/2018, 7:03 AM

I sort of like Daria more, but it's too close to "diarrhea" as we all know, so Dara is a second best substitute. I do like Dara, though.

- Lizzy1104 (guest)

12/21/2018, 1:08 PM

Yayyy! Glad to hear that!

- RoxStar +3

12/21/2018, 6:56 AM

I don't actually mind the name, when it's pronounced Dare-a. This is the way the only person I've met with the name pronounces it. She's American, a black woman in her forties, I think.
But I think pronunciation would be an issue if your friends want it pronounced Darr-a.

- Lizzy1104 (guest) +2

12/21/2018, 1:11 PM

Hm.. she said it like Darr-ah when she pronounced it, guess I'll have to warn her that she might have to correct people constantly. Thank you!

- Dracotorix +1

12/21/2018, 3:28 PM

I've never heard Dare-a before. Darr-a is what most people would assume, at least in the central US area.

- Lizzy1104 (guest)

12/21/2018, 5:14 PM

That's really great, cuz it turns out my friend doesn't like the Dare-a pronunciation after all :D

- Felie +1

12/21/2018, 6:40 AM

Hi !!!

Dara as Irish name is masculine.

But if she is Asian there are a couple of languages that use Dara with lovely meanings (if they are part of her heritage).

If she isn't tied with them so I suggest her to use other English feminine names.

- Lizzy1104 (guest)

12/21/2018, 1:13 PM

We're looking for very feminine names, and Dara is known as a boy name in many countries, so it is indeed a bit of a problem. Thanks! ;)

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