Toccara
Primarily a girl's name of African origin with 966 recorded births. Also given to 14 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Toccara is a three-syllable girl's name with a open, warm sound — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries. With 966 recorded U.S. births since 1981, it sits in a sweet spot: recognizable enough to be a real name, uncommon enough to turn heads.
Toccara is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Toccara is a girl's and boy's baby name of African origin, a creative coinage that gained visibility through model Toccara Jones, who appeared on America's Next Top Model in 2004. The name blends the musical Italian word toccata (a keyboard composition) with a distinctly African American naming aesthetic.
Toccara has a bold, three-syllable sound that announces itself with confidence. Whether or not parents were aware of the Italian musical connection, the name carries a natural rhythm and a distinctly contemporary American identity.
EtymologyShow more
Toccara is cataloged under the African naming tradition. African naming traditions are extraordinarily diverse, often tying a child’s name to circumstances of birth, family aspirations, or spiritual significance.
In the U.S., Toccara has been recorded as a girl's name since 1981, with 966 total births. Browse the African names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Toccara has 19+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1981.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 85 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 18 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 858 | — |
The Story of Toccara
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1982, Toccara is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Toccara are most likely born between 1981 and 1992.
How rare is Toccara?
With 966 total births on record, Toccara remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1981, peaked in the 1980s with 858 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Toccara by the numbers
- Would fill 20 school buses
- Meeting one Toccara per day would take 2.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(19 years, 1981–2011)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 5 | #19374 |
| 2009 | 8 | #13594 |
| 2008 | 8 | #13726 |
| 2007 | 16 | #8069 |
| 2006 | 16 | #7843 |
| 2005 | 26 | #5100 |
| 2004 | 6 | #15955 |
| 2001 | 5 | #17784 |
| 1991 | 10 | #8561 |
| 1990 | 8 | #10132 |
| 1989 | 8 | #9621 |
| 1988 | 16 | #5304 |
| 1987 | 7 | #9756 |
| 1986 | 21 | #4017 |
| 1985 | 42 | #2396 |
| 1984 | 66 | #1682 |
| 1983 | 158 | #942 |
| 1982 | 358 | #541 |
| 1981 | 182 | #857 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Toccara as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Toccara has also been given to 14 boys in the U.S. since 1981.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Toccara a boy's or girl's name?
When was Toccara most popular?
How popular is the name Toccara?
Can Toccara be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1981–2011