The nameKara

Kara is a short girl's name with several roots, popular in America in the 1980s.

Meaning

Kara can be read as a form of Cara, "dear" in Italian and "friend" in Irish. In Turkish kara means "black".

Origin

Italian, Irish or Turkish, depending on the family.

History

In the United States Kara reached 95th place in 1984. Kara Zor-El, Supergirl, is a well-known comic book bearer.

Famous people named Kara

Popularity of the name Kara

Kara in the United States

987thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
1991peak year (3,280 births)
101,796babies named Kara in the United States since 1880
01,6403,280 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Kara was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 27,630 births over the decade, 27% of all recorded babies named Kara. Its rise began around 1962, and it peaked in 1991. Half of all babies named Kara in the United States were born before 1988, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 332 births a year on average, against 602 in the five years before.

Kara in the United Kingdom

1026thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2011peak year (367 births)
5,307babies named Kara in the United Kingdom since 1997
0184367 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Kara was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 2,370 births over the decade, 45% of all recorded babies named Kara. Half of all babies named Kara in the United Kingdom were born before 2009, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 50 births a year on average, against 141 in the five years before.

Kara in Ireland

419thmost popular girls' name in Ireland in 2025
2011peak year (35 births)
674babies named Kara in Ireland since 1964
01835 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Kara in France

1602ndmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures
2018peak year (65 births)
665babies named Kara in France since 1900
03365 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Sibling names for Kara

Names from the same generation as Kara, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Kara? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Kara with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Kara side by side with the name of your choice.

Kara in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Kara mean?

Kara can be read as a form of Cara, "dear" in Italian and "friend" in Irish. In Turkish kara means "black".

What is the origin of the name Kara?

Italian, Irish or Turkish, depending on the family.

Is Kara a girl's or a boy's name?

Kara is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Kara?

In 2024, Kara was the 987th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 261 births.

What are good sibling names for Kara?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Bianca, Jazmine, Natasha and Tatiana for a sister, Randy, Jimmy, Maurice and Ernesto for a brother.

Who are famous people named Kara?

Kara DioGuardi, songwriter; Kara Goucher, runner; Kara Swisher, journalist.