Kara
How to say it: KAHR-uh · /ˈkɑrə/
From Italian 'cara' meaning 'dear' or 'beloved'. Also a simplified spelling of Cara.
Kara was the 692nd most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 226 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1980s, its births are down about 61% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #965 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #692 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 226 |
| Share of births | 1 in 8,414 |
| Peak decade | 1980s |
| Change over 10 years | −61% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #965 |
| In France, 2025 | #894 among girls’ names, 20 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
After rising through the 1970s, Kara crested in the 1980s. Now far below that high, continued slipping is expected.
What goes with it
Bright and gentle with soft edges and crisp attack. Jenna and Marisa share its style.
Honouring a Kara in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Kara is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Turkish.
In France: #894 for girls in 2025.
Ireland: #429.
Famous people named Kara
- Kara Walker (born 1969)American painter and installation artist
- Kara DioGuardi (born 1970)American music producer, composer and pop singer
- Kara Hayward (born 1998)American actress
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Kara Zor-El is Supergirl, played by Melissa Benoist in TV's Supergirl
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