Girl · 231st of 27,321
Cara
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
53,197
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1985
Peak Popularity Year
1,472
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Cara stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Cara has Latin origins, meaning 'beloved' or 'dear', and it also has Irish roots meaning 'friend'. It evolved from historical forms in Latin and Old Irish. It is perceived as a warm and friendly name with no biblical relevance, and it gained popularity in the 20th century. Variants include Kara and Caroline, and it is associated with notable figures like Cara Delevingne.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkɛərə/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Cara derives from the Latin word 'cara', meaning 'beloved' or 'dear'. It is also associated with the Irish term 'cara', meaning 'friend'.
Meaning
beloved, dear, friend
Language Evolution
Cara (Latin), Cara (Old Irish)
Historical Usage
Cara gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries. It has been embraced for its simplicity and warmth.
Variants & Derivatives
Kara, Cara, Caroline
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Cara is viewed as a charming and approachable name, often associated with kindness and warmth.
Famous People
Cara Delevingne, Cara Buono, Cara Dillon
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,472 peak births in 1985
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Maryland
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 10 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8050th of 10718 | 17 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 8861st of 16616 | 45 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1420th of 9107 | 546 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1303rd of 9204 | 624 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 672nd of 12526 | 3,881 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 281st of 19264 | 15,101 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 231st of 27321 | 19,490 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 490th of 35406 | 9,725 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 905th of 30306 | 3,597 |