Lara

Depending on origin story, it’s associated either with forms linked to Greek usage (often via Larissa) or with Latin/Roman myth references; it’s not a single, universally agreed literal meaning.

Lara is a feminine given name that’s concise and broadly used across different countries, which is one reason it often feels familiar in multilingual settings. In modern usage it is usually treated as a standalone name, even when it historically connects to longer forms in particular traditions. Because the name has traveled across languages, references often describe more than one plausible origin pathway rather than a single definitive etymology. One commonly cited route links Lara to Greek-language usage, often via association with the name Larissa and its short forms in some communities. Another route appears in Latin and Roman myth contexts, where Lara is presented as a figure-name, which adds a separate cultural reference point. As a result, “meaning” for Lara is best handled as an association that depends on which origin story a family or reference emphasizes. Pronunciation in English is typically LAH-ra in two syllables; it tends to be straightforward for many European speakers, though vowel quality can shift slightly by accent. If you care about origin specificity, a practical tip is to share the intended cultural reference (Greek-linked short form vs Roman-myth reference) when explaining the name, since both explanations circulate in popular sources.

Etymology: Lara is used internationally, and references often point to more than one pathway: as a short form related to Greek Larissa in some contexts, and separately as a name appearing in Roman myth. These paths are sometimes blended in modern summaries.