Cara
Cara is a feminine given name with multiple origins in different languages. It is often considered a spelling variant of the name Kara. As an English name, it is usually considered a modern spelling variant of the Italian endearment cara, meaning beloved, or the Irish word cara, meaning friend.
- English
- Irish
Meaning & Origin of Cara
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
Cara is a feminine given name with multiple origins in different languages. It is often considered a spelling variant of the name Kara. As an English name, it is usually considered a modern spelling variant of the Italian endearment cara, meaning beloved, or the Irish word cara, meaning friend.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
Cultural Origins (via Behind the Name)
- English
- Irish
The Story of Cara
The earliest SSA record of Cara as a baby girl name dates back to 1882, when 5 babies received it. 1985 was its biggest year on record, with 1,465 newborns named Cara — #184 in the national rankings. About 25% of every Cara on record arrived during the 1980s, its defining decade. As of 2026, Cara ranks #1,502 for baby girls with 144 births, falling sharply (-38%). All told, over 53K Americans have carried the name since 1880, from the 1880s to the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Variants & Related Forms of Cara
Foreign forms, alternate spellings, and nicknames that share roots with Cara. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Notable people named Cara
A small selection from Wikipedia. Tap "Read more" below to see the full list on Wikipedia.
- Cara Judea Alhadeff , American artist, writer, and yoga teacher
- Cara Black , Zimbabwean professional tennis player
- Cara Black (author) , American mystery writer
- Cara Blue Adams , American author
- Cara Buono , American actress
- Cara Butler , Irish American stepdancer and choreographer
- Cara Capuano , American sports anchor for ESPNU
- Cara Carriveau (born 1966), Chicago radio personality
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
Names that sound like Cara
Phonetically similar names — useful when Cara is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cara
What does the name Cara mean?
What is the origin of the name Cara?
How popular is Cara in 2026?
When was Cara most popular?
In which U.S. states is Cara most popular?
Is Cara a unisex name?
What names go well with Cara?
What are nicknames or variants of Cara?
About the name Cara
Cara is a girl baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1882 and has accumulated 53K births in the dataset. Cara's peak popularity came in 1985 when it ranked #184. Use the chart and map above to compare Cara's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 1985 →
- Names of the 1980s →
- Names starting with "C" →
- Browse all girl names →
- Top names of 2026 →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.