Lara \l(a)-ra\ as a girl's name is pronounced LAR-ah. It is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Lara is "protection". From "Lares", referring to the individual gods of Roman households, the protectors of home and fields. Also possibly (Latin) "cheerful; famous". It may also be traced to the Greek Larissa. Lara is popular in Russia; it is also a Spanish surname and place name. Literary: name of a central character in Boris Pasternak's novel "Doctor Zhivago". Actress Lara Flynn Boyle.

Lara has 6 variant forms: Laralaine, Laramae, Larina, Larinda, Larita and Larra.

For more information, see also the related name Lala.

Baby names that sound like Lara are Lira, Laray, Larae, Lari, Laura, Lora, Lawra, Larea, Lura and Lyra.