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.
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 →
The Story of Cara
Cara first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a baby girl name in 1882, with 5 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 1985, when 1,465 Caras were born — ranking #184 that year. As of 2026, Cara ranks #1,502 for baby girls with 144 births, falling sharply (-38%). In total, more than 53K Caras have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1880s through the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
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?
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?
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.