Taru

Taru is a Finnish feminine given name and a diminutive of Tarja, which itself is the Finnish form of Daria, ultimately derived from the Old Persian name Darius, meaning “possessing goodness.” The name Taru directly translates to “legend” or “myth” in Finnish, and its usage as a given name was partly inspired by the Swedish name Saga, which also means “saga, legend,” reflecting a broader Scandinavian trend of using mythological or traditional concepts as names.

Etymology and Meaning

In Finnish, the word taru means “legend” or “myth,” and it is an example of a nature or concept name drawn from everyday language. Unlike many Finnish given names that are tied to saints or biblical figures, Taru belongs to a more modern category of names that evoke folklore and imagination. According to Finnish naming statistics, Taru has been consistently popular since the mid-20th century, likely influenced by the national epic Kalevala and the broader cultural emphasis on oral tradition.

History and Use

Taru is predominantly a female given name in Finland, though as the etymology section from Wiktionary notes, it can also be found as a middle name or rarely for males. The name’s popularity peaked in the 1980s and 1990s, and as of recent data, it ranks 122nd among female forenames, with about 6,000 bearers. Its connection to the Finnish word for “legend” aligns with a naming tradition that also includes Tarja (a variant of Daria) and the Swedish-inspired Saga. The pronunciation is “TAH-roo,” with stress on the first syllable.

Notable Bearers

• Taru Valmeki Käpyaho (born 1961): Finnish cross-country skier who competed in the 1980s.
• Taru Rinne: Finnish actress known for her roles in films such as Kummeli.
• Taru Ilvonen: Finnish model and beauty queen, representing Finland in Miss Universe 2019.

Related Names and Variants

Taru is a diminutive of Tarja, and through Dariin derives from Daria and the root name Darius. In the broader Nordic context, similar concept names include Saga and Ilona. The name also bears a phonetic resemblance to the Irish name Tara, though they are etymologically unrelated.

• Meaning: Legend, myth; also a diminutive of Tarja
• Origin: Finnish
• Usage: Primarily female given name in Finland
• Related names: Tarja, Daria, Darius, Saga
• Popularity: 122nd most common female name in Finland (over 6,000 bearers)