N
NamyLab

Kara

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Beloved or Friend"

Used in multiple traditions with varying derivations, it is often glossed as beloved or friend, though origins may differ by culture.

Themes:affectionfriendvariantmodern

Fact-checked by Marcus Chen

B.A. Anthropology, UC BerkeleyMultilingual (4 languages)Cultural Research Fellow • Senior Name Researcher

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Kara

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#988Top 1000

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#988

Kara was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-49

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Kara Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Kara.

10 ideas
kary
Nickname
kara
Nickname
ka
Nickname
ky
Nickname
ko
Nickname
karay
Nickname
kie
Nickname
kkie
Nickname
karaie
Nickname
KA
Nickname

Similar Names to Kara

female

Anna

AN-uh

“Grace; Favor”

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Ashley

“Ash Tree Clearing”

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Amanda

uh-MAN-duh

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Amy

AY-mee

“Beloved”

#228
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Angela

AN-juh-luh

“Messenger; Angel”

#282
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Ann

“Grace, Favor”

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Amber

“Amber Resin”

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Annie

“Grace, Favor”

#191
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Ava

AY-vuh

“Birdlike; Life”

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Audrey

“Noble Strength”

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Baby Name Lists That Include Kara

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Kara, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

22 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Kara mean?
Kara means "Beloved or Friend". Used in multiple traditions with varying derivations, it is often glossed as beloved or friend, though origins may diffe
What is the origin of Kara?
Kara is of Latin origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Kara?
According to the latest SSA data, Kara is currently ranked #988 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Kara a girl name?
Kara is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Kara?
Popular nicknames for Kara include kary, kara, ka, ky, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Kara?
There are many names similar to Kara in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginLatin, Irish, English
Syllables2
Length4 letters
US Rank#988
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withK

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Kara

Kara has Latin roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Latin baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Kara appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Love and Beautiful Irish Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Latin Baby Names and Traditional English Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Kara pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Kara beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.