Girl · 113th of 27,321
Kara
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
101,796
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1991
Peak Popularity Year
3,280
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Kara 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 Kara originates from Latin and Italian, meaning 'dear' or 'beloved'. It has evolved from the Italian 'cara' to its modern English form. The name carries traits of warmth and affection and does not have biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the late 20th century and is currently viewed as elegant and modern.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkɑːrə/
Origin
Latin and Italian
Etymology
The name Kara is derived from the Italian word 'cara', meaning 'dear' or 'beloved'. In Latin, it is also associated with the meaning 'beloved'.
Meaning
dear, beloved
Language Evolution
Cara (Italian), Kara (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Kara gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries as a modern name.
Variants & Derivatives
Cara, Kare, Karina
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Kara is perceived as a modern and elegant name, often associated with kindness and warmth.
Famous People
Kara DioGuardi (American songwriter and music producer), Kara Hayward (American actress), Kara Tointon (British actress)
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 3,280 peak births in 1991
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Idaho
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 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 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 6320th of 7545 | 12 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 5842nd of 7552 | 18 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3939th of 10718 | 110 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5362nd of 16616 | 129 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 19331st of 24088 | 13 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 8441st of 9107 | 7 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2773rd of 9204 | 190 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 740th of 12526 | 3,306 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 176th of 19264 | 26,794 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 113th of 27321 | 43,269 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 238th of 35406 | 21,707 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 593rd of 30306 | 6,236 |