Kara Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAR-uh //ˈkɛərə//
Origin: Irish; Hebrew
Meaning: Irish: 'friend'; Hebrew: 'pure'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kara has roots in multiple linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the Italian word "cara," which means "beloved" or "dear." This Italian term itself can be traced back to the Latin "carus," carrying the same meaning. The transition into English occurred through the influence of Italian culture and language, particularly during the Renaissance, when Italian art and literature significantly impacted English society.
Additionally, Kara is sometimes associated with the Gaelic name "Cara," which means "friend," further enriching its etymological background. Historically, the name Kara has been borne by various notable figures and has appeared in literature and art throughout the centuries.
In the 19th century, the name gained some recognition in English-speaking countries, partly due to its melodic sound and positive connotations. While there are no specific biblical or royal figures associated with the name, its variants and related forms have appeared in various cultural contexts, contributing to its enduring appeal.
The name has also been featured in various literary works, enhancing its visibility and resonance in different eras. Culturally, the name Kara embodies themes of affection and friendship, which have contributed to its lasting significance.
Its associations with love and companionship have made it a favored choice in various cultures. The name's simplicity and elegance have allowed it to transcend linguistic barriers, making it adaptable in different languages and cultures.
The diminutive form "Kiki" has also been used in some contexts, although it is less common. Overall, Kara's etymological roots and historical significance reflect a rich tapestry of meanings that resonate across different cultures and time periods.
Famous people named Kara
In this section, you will find notable people named Kara. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Kara who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kara who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Kara Walker is an artist best known for her silhouette installations and the work 'A Subtlety.'.
Kara DioGuardi is a songwriter and music producer best known for her work with American Idol and songs like 'Sober' and 'The Time of My Life.'.
Kara Lindsay is an actress best known for her role in the Broadway musical Newsies.
Kara Tointon is an actress best known for her roles in EastEnders and The Office (UK).
Kara Zor-El is a fictional superheroine best known as Supergirl in DC Comics.
Fictional characters named Kara
The following list of fictional characters named Kara is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Kara Zor-El is a fictional character from the DC Comics universe. She is Superman's cousin and possesses similar superpowers, often taking on the superhero identity of Supergirl.
Kara Thrace is a fictional character from the TV series Battlestar Galactica. She is a skilled pilot and a key figure in the fight against the Cylons, known for her rebellious spirit.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kara, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kara. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kara was first seen in the United States in 1896.
Kara has ranked as high as #210 nationally, which occurred in 1991, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania.
In the past 5 years the name Kara has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kara is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Kara was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Kara (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 33 | |
| CA | 33 | |
| OH | 17 | |
| NY | 12 | |
| IL | 11 | |
| FL | 11 | |
| MD | 10 | |
| IN | 9 | |
| TN | 8 | |
| NC | 8 | |
| PA | 7 | |
| CO | 7 | |
| KY | 6 | |
| UT | 5 | |
| AZ | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Kara.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 261 |
| 2023 | 283 |
| 2022 | 319 |
| 2021 | 373 |
| 2020 | 426 |
| 2019 | 530 |
| 2018 | 621 |
| 2017 | 609 |
| 2016 | 626 |
| 2015 | 624 |
| 2014 | 730 |
| 2013 | 834 |
| 2012 | 860 |
| 2011 | 938 |
| 2010 | 1,113 |
| 2009 | 1,391 |
| 2008 | 1,338 |
| 2007 | 1,171 |
| 2006 | 1,192 |
| 2005 | 1,230 |
| 2004 | 1,284 |
| 2003 | 1,356 |
| 2002 | 1,403 |
| 2001 | 1,476 |
| 2000 | 1,649 |
| 1999 | 1,688 |
| 1998 | 1,711 |
| 1997 | 1,907 |
| 1996 | 1,909 |
| 1995 | 2,148 |
| 1994 | 2,376 |
| 1993 | 2,527 |
| 1992 | 2,931 |
| 1991 | 3,280 |
| 1990 | 3,036 |
| 1989 | 3,122 |
| 1988 | 3,039 |
| 1987 | 2,699 |
| 1986 | 2,722 |
| 1985 | 2,811 |
| 1984 | 2,855 |
| 1983 | 2,714 |
| 1982 | 2,661 |
| 1981 | 2,439 |
| 1980 | 2,445 |
| 1979 | 2,300 |
| 1978 | 2,290 |
| 1977 | 2,415 |
| 1976 | 2,037 |
| 1975 | 2,358 |
| 1974 | 2,304 |
| 1973 | 1,630 |
| 1972 | 1,454 |
| 1971 | 1,469 |
| 1970 | 1,503 |
| 1969 | 1,354 |
| 1968 | 908 |
| 1967 | 949 |
| 1966 | 580 |
| 1965 | 798 |
| 1964 | 663 |
| 1963 | 818 |
| 1962 | 516 |
| 1961 | 319 |
| 1960 | 135 |
| 1959 | 111 |
| 1958 | 122 |
| 1957 | 92 |
| 1956 | 116 |
| 1955 | 83 |
| 1954 | 53 |
| 1953 | 54 |
| 1952 | 40 |
| 1951 | 40 |
| 1950 | 32 |
| 1949 | 22 |
| 1948 | 26 |
| 1947 | 39 |
| 1946 | 25 |
| 1945 | 19 |
| 1944 | 20 |
| 1943 | 17 |
| 1942 | 24 |
| 1941 | 17 |
| 1940 | 12 |
| 1939 | 13 |
| 1938 | 13 |
| 1937 | 15 |
| 1936 | 7 |
| 1935 | 8 |
| 1934 | 6 |
| 1933 | 8 |
| 1932 | 6 |
| 1931 | 5 |
| 1919 | 7 |
| 1896 | 5 |