Ukrainian names — pronunciation, meaning, origin

Taras — Pronunciation, Meaning & Origin

Male Ukrainian name (Тарас)

Pronunciation

Pronunciation card for Taras
/tɑˈrɑs/ · ta-RAHS
Listen on YouTube →

Meaning

Taras (Ukrainian: Тарас) is a male name of Greek origin meaning «one from Taras», «Tarentine» — from the name of the ancient Greek colonial city in southern Italy.

Origin & History

The name derives from Ancient Greek Ταράσιος (Tarásios) — from the name of the city Τάρας (Táras), modern Taranto in southern Italy, founded by Greek colonists in the 8th century BC. In mythology, Taranto was associated with the hero Taras, son of Poseidon. In Christian tradition the name entered through Saint Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople (c. 730–806), a defender of icon veneration. The name has exceptionally great meaning for Ukrainian culture: it was borne by Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko (1814–1861) — the national prophet, poet, artist, and symbol of the Ukrainian renaissance. Thanks to Shevchenko, Taras is one of the most revered names in Ukraine.

Etymology & Roots

From Ancient Greek Tarásios — «one from the city Taras (Taranto)»; the city's name is probably of Greco-Messapian origin, connected with the mythical hero Taras, son of Poseidon.

International equivalents

Equivalents in other languages: Tarasios (Greek, historical), Тарас (Russian, Belarusian), Taras (English transliteration).

Diminutives and short forms

Тарасичок, Тарасунчик, Тарасуня, Тарасуньо, Тарасьо, Тарасик, Тараско, Тараска, Тарасочка, Тарасонька, Тарасенька, Тарасушка, Тараша.

Declension (Ukrainian)

NominativeТарас
GenitiveТараса
DativeТарасові
AccusativeТараса
InstrumentalТарасом
LocativeТарасові
VocativeТарасе

Українська версія сторінки →