Kara: name meaning, origin & popularity
- Meaning
- “uncertain; possibly beloved or black”
- Origin
- Unknown
- Say it
- KAIR-uh · 2 syllables
- Used for
- Girls
This spelling has several origins: it can be an English variant of Cara, from Latin 'beloved', and also matches Turkish kara meaning 'black'. Usage also overlaps with Slavic and other traditions, so the etymology is not always the same. The origin of this name is not settled among etymologists.
How popular is Kara?
Babies named Kara in 2024261
2024 rank#987 girls
Peak year1991
Total US babies since 1880101,796
Kara is fading: recent use is about 41% of its level ten years before.
Names like Kara
Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.
- Carabeloved · Italian
- Cariuncertain; often a form of Cara or Kari · Unknown
- Avauncertain; possibly bird or life · Unknown
- Mayauncertain; often illusion or water · Unknown
- Ailanyuncertain · Unknown
- Alanauncertain; often linked to little rock or handsome · Unknown
- Leiauncertain; often used as a form of Leah · Unknown
- Londonfrom London, place name · Unknown
Kara questions
What does the name Kara mean?
Kara means "uncertain; possibly beloved or black". It comes from Unknown. This spelling has several origins: it can be an English variant of Cara, from Latin 'beloved', and also matches Turkish kara meaning 'black'. Usage also overlaps with Slavic and other traditions, so the etymology is not always the same.
Is Kara a boy or girl name?
Kara is mainly a girl's name in US records (100% of uses since 1880).
How popular is Kara?
261 US babies were named Kara in 2024. Its peak year was 1991.
How do you pronounce Kara?
Kara is usually pronounced KAIR-uh.
Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.