My real name is, surprise, Dara. In Hebrew it means Pearl of Wisdom (I don't believe it either!). In Gaelic it means the Oak. Neal Sadaka named his daughter Dara, only remotely famous person I know of with the name.
Got my VMK name from my real first and maiden (before I was married) middle names.
My nicknames are: Mommy, D, and Kanga (note on the Kanga, we all have Pooh names in our family: I am Kanga, DS5 is Roo, DD9 is Piglet, DS12 is Tigger, DH is Pooh, DS19 is Eeyore)