OHara

OHara is a surname of Irish origin, commonly written without an apostrophe as OHara in English-language records. It is an Anglicized form associated with Gaelic names that begin with Ó, meaning “descendant of.” The exact Gaelic root varies by family line, and OHara often appears as a variant spelling of O’Hara in genealogical and civil records, as well as in branding and indexing where punctuation is omitted.

Historically, the name is linked to Ireland and is now widespread in the Irish diaspora. In countries with large populations of Irish descent, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, OHara is a familiar surname. The form without an apostrophe is common in modern data systems, immigration lists, and official registries.

In culture and reference works, the surname O’Hara is widely recognized, with Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind standing as one of the best-known bearers of the name. The variant OHara can also appear in bibliographic indexing, catalogs, and corporate branding where diacritics or punctuation are suppressed.

As a surname, OHara exemplifies the broader pattern of Irish-derived names that spread globally through migration. Its usage reflects regional pronunciation, historical settlement, and the practical conventions of record-keeping in different eras and places.