Taira
A girl's name of Japanese origin with 1,022 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name from Japanese.
Taira is a girl's baby name of Japanese origin, from Japanese words such as 平 ('calm, peaceful, level') or 大平 ('great peace'). The Taira clan was one of the great warrior dynasties of medieval Japan, making the name synonymous with both military distinction and the aristocratic elegance of Heian court culture.
The Taira (Heike) clan's rivalry with the Minamoto clan in the 12th century is the subject of The Tale of the Heike, one of Japan's greatest epic narratives. For parents drawn to Japanese history and culture, Taira connects a daughter to one of the most storied family names in the Japanese historical tradition.
EtymologyShow more
Taira first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1965. Arriving in the 1960s, Taira appeared during a period when American naming was beginning to diversify beyond the traditional Anglo-Saxon and biblical pools.
Its Japanese classification suggests a path from japanese linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Taira was #8202 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #10972, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 9 | #10972 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 30 | #15248 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 171 | #8190 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 328 | #3585 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 320 | #3032 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 159 | #4337 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 5 | #7407 | — |
The Story of Taira
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1990, Taira is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Taira are most likely born between 1980 and 2000.
How rare is Taira?
Only about 1 in every 400,000 babies born in 2024 was named Taira — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1965, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1990s with 328 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Taira by the numbers
- Would fill 21 school buses
- Meeting one Taira per day would take 2.8 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(46 years, 1965–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | #10972 |
| 2016 | 6 | #16029 |
| 2012 | 5 | #19240 |
| 2011 | 6 | #16551 |
| 2010 | 13 | #9171 |
| 2009 | 10 | #11378 |
| 2008 | 15 | #8480 |
| 2007 | 6 | #17398 |
| 2006 | 13 | #9223 |
| 2005 | 22 | #5771 |
| 2004 | 14 | #8202 |
| 2003 | 19 | #6268 |
| 2002 | 23 | #5243 |
| 2001 | 21 | #5550 |
| 2000 | 28 | #4389 |
| 1999 | 22 | #5019 |
| 1998 | 34 | #3564 |
| 1997 | 28 | #3996 |
| 1996 | 27 | #4038 |
| 1995 | 31 | #3577 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taira a boy's or girl's name?
When was Taira most popular?
How popular is the name Taira?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1965–2024