Tamar is a female given name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew word tamar meaning "date palm" or "date" (the fruit). The name is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where it appears in two significant narratives. One Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah and later became his wife, a story emphasizing themes of justice and lineage (see Genesis 38). Another Tamar was the daughter of King David and sister of Absalom; she was raped by her half-brother Amnon, which led to Amnon's murder by Absalom (2 Samuel 13). Absalom later named his own daughter Tamar, described as beautiful. Historical and Royal Bearers The name Tamar gained prominence outside the biblical context, most notably through Tamar of Georgia (c. 1160–1213), the first female ruler of Georgia. Known as Tamar the Great, she reigned as queen from 1184 to 1213 during the Georgian Golden Age, a period of military conquest and cultural flourishing. Her rule is considered a peak in Georgian history, and she remains a central figure in national identity. Cultural and Regional Usage Tamar is used in Hebrew, Georgian, and English-speaking contexts, as well as in biblical and historical settings. In Israel, Tamar was once the top name for girls (ranked first in 2015) but has since dropped to second place. The name was also adopted by Puritan families in colonial America who favored biblical names, even those associated with flawed or sinful characters as a moral reminder. Related forms include Tamara, a Georgian variant, as well as Tami and Tamra in English. Diminutives include Taia in Georgian. Meaning: Date palm; date fruit Origin: Hebrew Type: First name Usage regions: Georgia, Israel, English-speaking countries, biblical contexts