See the results of this poll: What do you think of Inara
Respondents: 63 (This poll is closed)
- Love it! : 13 (21%)
- Like it : 24 (38%)
- Indifferent about it : 15 (24%)
- Dislike it : 9 (14%)
- Hate it!: 2 (3%)
I love it! I am a big fan of names like this. I was reading about the [name_f]Goddess[/name_f] Ishtar one day, and the name Istara popped into my head. I didn’t find it anywhere online but I thought it was such a cool variation and it’s stuck in my mind (as a GP) ever since. Inara is lovely and has a beautiful set of meanings (also Firefly is awesome). And yeah, at first some people might say “what’s your name again?” but I think it’s so cool and unique that it’s totally worth repeating to strangers every once in a while.
I say go for it! (Also, you have a gorgeous signature. We have a lot of boy names in common!)
I have an uncommon “exotic” (or so people tell me) name but my brother is [name_m]Nathan[/name_m]. I think [name_u]Toby[/name_u] and Inara sound totally fine together.
I think it’s a beautiful name and I love the meaning!
@silversky Istara is a gorgeous variation of Ishtar! I often have to repeat my name to people, and spell it out to them (even though it’s spelt exactly as it’s said, just like Inara!), but it’s well worth it for a lovely name I think! And it can be conversation starter too.
Thank you, your signature is lovely too! In fact a lot of the name you have on there I adore too, but they didn’t pass the husband test!!
@char.dy thank you for that feedback, I’m glad to know that other people think [name_u]Toby[/name_u] and Inara sound good together, and that other parents have given a “normal” name to one child, and an “exotic/different” name to another.
Anyone else have any opinions on Inara?
I know a little Inara its a gorgeous name and suits her well she is a brilliant child who wears the nane we, although it reminds me of Inari a bit, which is a type of Sushi.
I love Inara! I’m a fan of Firefly, so I love seeing it considered. I think [name_u]Toby[/name_u] and Inara are fine together.
Thank you for the responses so far! I’m glad to see other people like this name too 
the similarity to the name of some sushi is quite funny, it never entered my mind before! Probably because I don’t eat sushi!
Anyone else have opinions on Inara?
Unfortunately I can’t get the similar-sounding Inari out of my head when I look at/hear Inara. However, despite that, I think [name_u]Toby[/name_u] and Inara are fine together.
I think it’s gorgeous!
Thanks for all the opinions so far, they’re really helpful!
I’m thinking of the combination Inara [name_f]Willow[/name_f] [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f], what do you guys think?
If my son was a girl, she would have been named Inara.
Inari sushi is named after the Japanese kami (spirit, deity) of foxes, rice, tea, fertility and sake.
I really like it. I love firefly too and that was my first thought when I read it. I think I like it even more in the combination Inara [name_f]Willow[/name_f] [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f], that is a very beautiful name. I also love [name_u]Toby[/name_u] and think they are great together.
I think it’s a beautiful name. I knew it from firefly, but was not aware of the history and meaning of the name, thanks for sharing!
I know of a little girl named Inara. I had to ask her name twice when I first heard it because I didn’t recognize it (I thought her Dad told me it was [name_f]Nora[/name_f] or [name_f]Anora[/name_f] the first time). I don’t think there is anything wrong with the name itself as long as you are willing to assume most people will hear it wrong the first time and you’ll need to correct them.
“[name_u]Toby[/name_u] and [name_u]Indigo[/name_u]” is easier to say than “[name_u]Toby[/name_u] and Inara”.
However, if you use [name_u]Ari[/name_u] for the nn, “[name_u]Toby[/name_u] and [name_u]Ari[/name_u]” is simple to say.
“[name_u]Toby[/name_u] and [name_f]Indie[/name_f]” works too.
You will be saying them together constantly as in “[name_u]Toby[/name_u] and Inara get in the car!”