I met a male Tarn in college. He said he was named for a mountain pool, too - said his "parents were hippies." But I could tell he wasn't embarrassed. I think he liked his name but was just wary of people asking about it. Maybe he's encountered people who feel about it like Roxstar does.
Anyway I like the name. I always liked Taran from Lloyd Alexander's books, which I say as "TAH-run," but Tarn is easier to say and less fictiony. It never occurred to me that Tarn could be unisex, but I guess it really can be. I prefer it as a guy name. On a woman, it gives me an impression like too much patchouli, like Robin or Cedar or Rowan does. Not exactly mannish, but sorta hairy-hippie. That's fine btw, but it's nms in names. lol
Tarn Thomas
Tarn Liber
... I'll edit if I think of any good ones.
- mirfak