Kara
Kara is a girl's name of Norse origin.
Meaning
Pure or beloved.
Origin and history
Kara is a name with multiple origins, most commonly derived from the Old Norse name Kári meaning 'pure' or 'beloved', or associated with the Greek name Katherine. It gained widespread popularity in the United States during the late 20th century. Today, it remains a classic and recognizable option for parents.
Popularity in the United States
101,743 babies in the United States have been named Kara since 1880. It ranks #370 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #824.
States where it is most popular
- CA (7.3 %)
- TX (6.4 %)
- OH (6.2 %)
- NY (6 %)
- PA (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 5 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 7 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 81 |
| 1940-1950 | 221 |
| 1950-1960 | 743 |
| 1960-1970 | 7,039 |
| 1970-1980 | 19,760 |
| 1980-1990 | 27,506 |
| 1990-2000 | 23,514 |
| 2000-2010 | 13,491 |
| 2010-2019 | 7,487 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,889 |
Famous people named Kara
- Kara Walker: Artist, Professor
- Kara Swisher: Journalist, Podcaster
- Kara DioGuardi: Songwriter, TV Personality
Fun facts
- In Norse mythology, Kára was the name of a Valkyrie.
- The name experienced a peak in U.S. popularity during the late 1980s and 1990s.