Is Kara a boy's or girl's name?

Kara is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 282 recorded births.

When was Kara most popular?

Kara reached its peak popularity in 1991 with 3,280 births that year. It is currently ranked #988 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Kara?

Kara is currently ranked #988 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 101,514 babies since 1896.

Kara

A Italian name gently fading from the charts.

Girl's name| Also boysItalianDeclining Also a pet name

#988▼ 49in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A female given name.

Kara is a girl's and boy's baby name with roots in multiple traditions: it may derive from the Italian cara meaning 'beloved' or 'dear,' or from the Turkish kara meaning 'black.' In Irish contexts it is sometimes treated as a variant of Cara.

Kara has a clean, modern sound that has kept it consistently in circulation since the 1960s without ever dominating the charts. It feels genuinely versatile — simple enough for everyday life, distinctive enough to stand out. The DC Comics character Kara Zor-El (Supergirl) has given it a superhero dimension that resonates with a generation of comic fans.

Compare Kara with another name

Popularity Over Time

Kara was #249 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #988, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Kara
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,662	#847	▼
2010s	7,485	#441	▼
2000s	13,490	#245	▼
1990s	23,513	#143	▼
1980s	27,507	#106	▲
1970s	19,760	#153	▲
1960s	7,040	#408	▲
1950s	743	#1247	▲
1940s	221	#1970	▲
1930s	81	#3321	▲
1910s	7	#4044	▲
1890s	5	#1713	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(96 years, 1896–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Kara
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	261	#988	-22 (-7.8%)
2023	283	#939	-36 (-11.3%)
2022	319	#870	-54 (-14.5%)
2021	373	#764	-53 (-12.4%)
2020	426	#673	-104 (-19.6%)
2019	530	#575	-91 (-14.7%)
2018	621	#500	+12 (2.0%)
2017	609	#516	-17 (-2.7%)
2016	626	#499	+2 (0.3%)
2015	624	#507	-106 (-14.5%)
2014	730	#440	-104 (-12.5%)
2013	834	#374	-26 (-3.0%)
2012	860	#364	-78 (-8.3%)
2011	938	#339	-175 (-15.7%)
2010	1,113	#292	-278 (-20.0%)
2009	1,391	#238	+53 (4.0%)
2008	1,338	#257	+167 (14.3%)
2007	1,171	#289	-21 (-1.8%)
2006	1,192	#282	-38 (-3.1%)
2005	1,230	#267	-54 (-4.2%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Kara as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Kara has also been given to 282 boys in the U.S. since 1915.

Unranked

Current rank

282

Total births

1983

Peak year

Compare Kara as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Kara be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Kara is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #988. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Kara has two lives

Kara, the baby name

#988girls

101,514 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1896–2024) · Methodology