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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Beloved/dear (Italian) or friend (Irish)
- Origin
- English (modern coinage, echoing Italian/Irish)
- Gender
- Girl
- Pronunciation
- KAIR-uh
Cara is pronounced KAIR-uh and carries two possible meanings depending on which root you trace: "beloved" or "dear" in Italian, and "friend" in Irish. As an English name, it's a modern coinage that echoes both of those traditions rather than descending directly from either one. It's a short, clean name with a simple sound and a meaning that reads warmly either way you take it.
Meaning & Origin of Cara
Meaning: Beloved/dear (Italian) or friend (Irish).
Origin: English (modern coinage, echoing Italian/Irish).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Cara
KAIR-uhIPA /ˈkɛrə/
Popularity of Cara
Cara peaked in 1985 at #184 nationally, with 1,465 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it had dropped to #1,294, with just 178 babies — a steady decline over the decades tracked in Social Security Administration data going back to 1882.
Names Like Cara
These names share Cara’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Cara mean?
Beloved/dear (Italian) or friend (Irish). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Cara?
Cara is pronounced KAIR-uh (IPA: /ˈkɛrə/).
Is Cara a popular name right now?
Cara peaked at #184 in 1985 and is ranked #1294 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1882–2024.)
Make Cara Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Cara, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Cara? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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