Kara Girl

Popularity: #723 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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.

LaraSaraMaraTaraNoraClara

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.

CoraKiraZaraMayaLilaTessaNinaRhea

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Kara was first seen in the United States in 1896.

Kara has ranked as high as #214 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 226 0 226
2024 261 0 261
2023 283 0 283
2022 319 0 319
2021 373 0 373
2020 427 0 427
2019 530 0 530
2018 621 0 621
2017 610 0 610
2016 626 0 626
2015 624 0 624
2014 731 0 731
2013 834 0 834
2012 860 0 860
2011 938 0 938
2010 1,113 0 1,113
2009 1,391 0 1,391
2008 1,338 0 1,338
2007 1,171 0 1,171
2006 1,192 0 1,192
2005 1,230 0 1,230
2004 1,293 8 1,285
2003 1,356 0 1,356
2002 1,403 0 1,403
2001 1,476 0 1,476
2000 1,649 0 1,649
1999 1,688 0 1,688
1998 1,711 0 1,711
1997 1,912 5 1,907
1996 1,909 0 1,909
1995 2,148 0 2,148
1994 2,385 9 2,376
1993 2,527 0 2,527
1992 2,936 5 2,931
1991 3,281 0 3,281
1990 3,041 5 3,036
1989 3,136 15 3,121
1988 3,045 6 3,039
1987 2,712 13 2,699
1986 2,739 17 2,722
1985 2,824 13 2,811
1984 2,863 8 2,855
1983 2,731 17 2,714
1982 2,674 13 2,661
1981 2,447 8 2,439
1980 2,458 13 2,445
1979 2,312 12 2,300
1978 2,290 0 2,290
1977 2,426 11 2,415
1976 2,045 8 2,037
1975 2,372 14 2,358
1974 2,313 9 2,304
1973 1,630 0 1,630
1972 1,460 6 1,454
1971 1,474 5 1,469
1970 1,511 8 1,503
1969 1,361 7 1,354
1968 913 5 908
1967 955 6 949
1966 580 0 580
1965 804 6 798
1964 663 0 663
1963 817 0 817
1962 523 7 516
1961 319 0 319
1960 135 0 135
1959 111 0 111
1958 122 0 122
1957 92 0 92
1956 116 0 116
1955 88 5 83
1954 59 6 53
1953 54 0 54
1952 40 0 40
1951 40 0 40
1950 32 0 32
1949 22 0 22
1948 26 0 26
1947 39 0 39
1946 25 0 25
1945 19 0 19
1944 20 0 20
1943 17 0 17
1942 24 0 24
1941 17 0 17
1940 12 0 12
1939 13 0 13
1938 13 0 13
1937 15 0 15
1936 7 0 7
1935 8 0 8
1934 6 0 6
1933 8 0 8
1932 6 0 6
1931 5 0 5
1919 7 0 7
1916 6 6 0
1915 6 6 0
1896 5 0 5

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 33
17%
CA 33
17%
OH 17
9%
NY 12
6%
FL 11
6%
IL 11
6%
MD 10
5%
IN 9
5%
TN 8
4%
NC 8
4%
CO 7
4%
PA 7
4%
KY 6
3%
UT 5
3%
AZ 5
3%
MN 5
3%
WA 5
3%
MI 5
3%