In Greek mythology, Taras was a son of Poseidon. He was saved from a shipwreck by a dolphin sent by Poseidon. He was born in Peloponnesus but founded the city Tarentum (currently, Taranto) in Italy. Others, however, claimed that Tarentum was founded by Heracles. (Virgil III, 551)
In modern times, Taras is an Eastern European name, used particularly in Ukraine. While some say the name derives from the ancient greek for rebel, it is more likely to be derived from the Greek name Tarasios, meaning "of Tarentum".
