More info about the name "Taras"

Taras originates in Greek language and is most likely derived from name of the son of Satyrion, a nymph, and Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. According to Greek mythology, Taras founded the Greek colony of Taras, today called Taranto, in Southern Italy. The name itself is mainly popular in Russian speaking countries now, thanks to Taras Shevchenko, a Ukrainian poet and humanist.