Tashara
A feminine name with uncertain origins, possibly meaning "morning star" or "beloved".
Name Census estimates that about 1,092 living Americans carry the first name Tashara. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Tashara today is around 36 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Tashara births was 1990 (58 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Tashara. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
1.1K
~ 1 in 313,878 Americans
Peak year
1990
58 babies that year
Average age
36
years old
2014 SSA rank
#16,321
Tracked since 1972
Popularity
Tashara: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Tashara from the 1970s through to the 2010s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 423 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tashara by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Tashara during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Tasharas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 7 states and territories. Florida, New York, Texas recorded the most babies named Tashara, while North Carolina, Virginia, Michigan recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 34 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Tashara
The given name Tashara is of African origin, with its roots traced back to the Swahili language spoken in East Africa. The name is believed to have emerged in the 18th or 19th century, during the height of the East African slave trade. It is derived from the Swahili word "tashara," which means "to rejoice" or "to celebrate."
Tashara gained popularity as a name among the African diaspora, particularly in the Americas, where many enslaved Africans were forcibly brought and eventually settled. It was a name that carried a sense of resilience and hope, reflecting the enduring spirit of those who endured the hardships of slavery and sought to find joy and celebrate their culture despite the adversities they faced.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tashara can be found in the writings of the African American author and activist, Ida B. Wells (1862-1931). In her autobiography, "Crusade for Justice," she mentions a woman named Tashara who was a prominent figure in the community and played a significant role in the fight against racial injustice.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Tashara. One such individual was Tashara Cousins (1933-2018), an African American educator and civil rights activist who fought for equal educational opportunities and desegregation in the United States. She dedicated her life to empowering underprivileged communities and breaking down barriers to education.
Another prominent figure was Tashara Kimbrough (1945-2021), an influential jazz singer and songwriter from New Orleans. Her powerful vocals and soulful melodies captivated audiences worldwide, and she was celebrated for her unique blend of traditional jazz and contemporary influences. Her musical legacy continues to inspire generations of artists.
In the realm of sports, Tashara Jones (born 1982) made a name for herself as a professional basketball player. She played in the WNBA for several teams, including the Phoenix Mercury and the Los Angeles Sparks, and was known for her tenacity on the court and her dedication to the game.
Tashara Wilkins (born 1975) is a renowned fashion designer and entrepreneur. Her eponymous clothing line has gained international recognition for its bold and innovative designs, celebrating the beauty and diversity of African culture through fashion.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Tashara throughout history, each making their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage and human achievement.
People
Tashara + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Tashara as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with T
Other first names starting with T with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Tashara: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Tashara?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1,092 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Tashara going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 313,878 US residents.
Is Tashara a common name?
We classify Tashara as "Rare". It ranks above 90.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,147 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Tashara most popular?
The single biggest year for Tashara was 1990, when 58 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Tashara is about 36 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Tashara a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Tashara in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.