Other meanings of Tamar
Onomastics
Tamar is a female given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "date palm" or "palm tree." It appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of two notable women: Tamar, daughter-in-law of Judah, and Tamar, daughter of King David. The name has remained in continuous use among Jewish communities and has gained international popularity in various forms.
The name Tamar derives from the Hebrew word tamar (תמר), meaning "date palm" or "palm tree." In the ancient Near East, the date palm was a symbol of beauty, fertility, and righteousness, which likely contributed to the name's positive connotations.1
In the Hebrew Bible, two women bear this name. The first Tamar appears in Genesis 38, where she secures her rights as a widow by disguising herself and bearing twins by her father-in-law Judah. The second Tamar is the daughter of King David, whose rape by her half-brother Amnon is recounted in 2 Samuel 13. Both narratives highlight themes of justice and resilience, making the name significant in Jewish tradition.2
Across languages, Tamar has developed several variants. In Georgian, the name is spelled თამარ (Tamar) and was borne by Queen Tamar, who ruled in the 12th–13th centuries and is considered one of Georgia's greatest monarchs. The Georgian form has remained popular, often shortened to Tamriko or Tako.3
In English-speaking countries, the name is sometimes rendered as Tamara, a Russian and Ukrainian variant that gained popularity in the 20th century. Other forms include Tamarind (a rare English coinage) and Tamar (used in Spanish and Portuguese). In Israel, Tamar has been among the top ten names for newborn girls since the 2010s, reflecting its enduring appeal.
Beyond biblical figures, Tamar has been borne by numerous notable women. Queen Tamar of Georgia (c. 1160–1213) was the first female ruler of Georgia, and her reign is considered a golden age in Georgian history. In the arts, Tamar de Lempicka (1898–1980) was a Polish Art Deco painter known for her portraits of the elite.4
In contemporary times, Tamar is used across cultures, including among celebrities: Tamar Braxton, an American singer and television personality, and Tamar Golan, an Israeli journalist. The name also appears in literature, such as in Thomas Hardy's poem "Tamar" (though that refers to a place). Its cross-cultural presence underscores its versatility.5
One lesser-known fact is that Tamar is also the name of a place in the Bible: a city in the Negev mentioned in Ezekiel 47:19 and 48:28, possibly meaning "palm tree" as well. Additionally, the name appears in the New Testament in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:3), linking it to Christian tradition.2
In modern Israel, the name Tamar is also associated with the Tamar gas field, discovered in 2009 in the Mediterranean Sea, which was named after the biblical figure. The field's name has given the name a contemporary economic resonance. Furthermore, in the 19th century, the name saw a revival among Jewish immigrants to Palestine, partly due to its connection to the land and its agricultural symbolism.
The name Tamar has been used for both biblical figures and modern landmarks, reflecting its deep historical roots and ongoing relevance.
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