What does Cara mean?
Cara means “dear”.
A recorded Latin interpretation of Cara is “dear”. The name also has other recorded meanings or origins.
Nicknames & variations
No nicknames or variations are listed for Cara yet.
How popular is Cara?
United States · 2025Explore how often Cara is used and how its ranking has changed.
- US girls rank
- #1,326 2025 · #1 is most popular
- Girls named Cara
- 168 Recorded births in 2025
- Change in births
- 5.6% Fewer than 2024
Cara over time
United States · Girls
Recorded births
Hover or tap the chart, or move the slider. You can also use the keyboard arrow keys.
Yearly data & usage
Rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys. The summary highlights girls, the most common recorded usage in 2025.
| Year | Usage | US rank | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | #1,326 | 168 |
| 2024 | Girls | #1,297 | 178 |
| 2023 | Girls | #1,264 | 182 |
| 2022 | Girls | #1,163 | 208 |
| 2021 | Girls | #1,025 | 248 |
| 2020 | Girls | #908 | 289 |
| 2019 | Girls | #1,021 | 252 |
| 2018 | Girls | #874 | 310 |
| 2017 | Girls | #861 | 318 |
| 2016 | Girls | #808 | 352 |
| 2015 | Girls | #730 | 389 |
| 2014 | Girls | #676 | 421 |
Years reflect available birth records. Missing records do not mean zero births.
Names like Cara
Explore the connection, then save your favorites to compare.
Olivia
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Olive tree
Shares an origin with Cara.
Ava
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Life; bird; water, island
Shares an origin with Cara.
Violet
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Purple
Shares an origin with Cara.
Aurora
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Dawn
Shares an origin with Cara.
Camila
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Young ceremonial attendant
Shares an origin with Cara.
Nora
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Honor or meaning unknown
Shares an origin with Cara.
Found a few you like?
Save them, then compare up to four names in your shortlist.