UK girl's name
Iara
A feminine name of Brazilian indigenous origin meaning "lady of the waters".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Iara is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Iara popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4709, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 6 births.
This profile covers 59 England and Wales registrations across 15 recorded years from 2004 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 67% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 59 living people in the UK are called Iara. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Iara ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 6 girls were registered as Iara.
- • About 59 living people in the UK are estimated to have Iara as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4709
2023
Births in 2023
4
Latest year
Peak year
2009
6 births
Estimated living
59
2026
Meaning
What does Iara mean?
The name Iara is believed to have its origins in the Tupi language, spoken by indigenous people of Brazil. It is derived from the Tupi word "y'ara," which translates to "lady of the waters" or "water queen." The Tupi people inhabited the coastal regions of Brazil before the arrival of European colonizers.
Iara is closely associated with the mythological figure of the same name in Brazilian folklore. According to legend, Iara is a beautiful mermaid-like creature who lures unsuspecting men into the rivers and lakes with her enchanting singing voice, causing them to drown. The myth of Iara is deeply rooted in the cultural beliefs and stories of the indigenous people of Brazil.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Iara can be traced back to the 16th century, when Portuguese explorers and colonists encountered the Tupi people and recorded their language and customs. The name appeared in writings and records from that period, often referring to the mythological figure or to individuals from the Tupi tribes.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Iara. One of the earliest recorded examples is Iara Tupinambá (c. 1560-1580), a young Tupi woman who played a significant role in the early interactions between the indigenous people and the Portuguese colonizers in Brazil.
Another notable figure is Iara Iavelberg (1933-2022), a Brazilian psychoanalyst and writer who made significant contributions to the field of psychoanalysis and published several books on the subject.
In the world of literature, Iara Jamra (born 1956) is a Brazilian novelist and short story writer whose works explore themes of identity, family, and the human experience. Her novel "Damas da Noite" (Ladies of the Night) received critical acclaim.
Iara Ferreira Machado (born 1982) is a Brazilian swimmer who competed in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, winning a silver medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Lastly, Iara Nascimento (born 1988) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC fighter, known for her skill in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and her successful career in the women's bantamweight division.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Iara over time
The chart below shows babies named Iara registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2004 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Iara, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Iara by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Iara was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4945 | 11 | 3 |
| 2010s | #4977 | 32 | 8 |
| 2000s | #4473 | 16 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Iara
- Isabella 58,822
- Isla 51,854
- Isabelle 46,163
- Imogen 33,758
- Ivy 23,306
- Isabel 20,895
- Isobel 19,706
- Iris 10,353
- India 8,371
- Iqra 4,452
- Indie 3,873
- Iona 3,682
FAQ
Iara: questions and answers
How popular is the name Iara in the UK right now?
In 2023, Iara was ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Iara most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 6 babies registered as Iara in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Iara?
A feminine name of Brazilian indigenous origin meaning "lady of the waters".
How many people are called Iara in the UK?
A total of 59 babies have been registered as Iara across the 15 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.