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Kara

Quick answerKara means "dear" or "beloved" and derives from Sanskrit roots, though it also has meanings in other languages such as "dark" in Irish and "head" in Turkish.

English · Girl · 2 syllables

K
Top 5,000

Popularity & facts

Relative popularity index, 2010–2025
GenderGirl
US Rank#1,075
TrendFalling ↓
Peak year1991
Syllables2
OriginEnglish
LanguageEnglish
CultureEnglish, Ottoman Turkish, Norse Mythology
ReligionHinduism; Sikhism
Letters4
Numerology4 Chaldean 6
Global rank#391

Popularity over time

Popularity index
Hover the line to see any year. 100 = most popular.

Historical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data

About the name Kara

Kara means "dear" or "beloved" and derives from Sanskrit roots, though it also has meanings in other languages such as "dark" in Irish and "head" in Turkish.

Cross-referenced with Wikidata/Wikipedia. AI-assisted, community-reviewable. Suggest an improvement.

Etymology

Kara means "dear" or "beloved" and derives from Sanskrit roots, though it also has meanings in other languages such as "dark" in Irish and "head" in Turkish. The name is used across multiple cultures including Hindu, Irish, and Turkish populations, with historical significance in South Asian traditions where it also refers to a rigid steel bracelet worn by Sikhs as a religious article of faith.

Kara currently ranks #1,075 in the United States as a girl's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1991.

Variants & nicknames

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Sibling name ideas

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