Meaning & History
Kara is a feminine given name used in English-speaking countries. It is a variant of Cara, which has two primary etymological sources. The first is from Italian, where cara means "beloved." The second is from Irish, where cara means "friend." In both cases, the name carries connotations of affection and companionship.
The name Cara gained popularity as a given name in the 19th century, but it was not until after the 1950s that it saw widespread use. As a variant, Kara likely followed a similar trajectory, becoming more common as an alternative spelling.
Variant forms of Kara include Karaugh, which further adapts the phonetic sound. Other languages and cultures have related forms, such as the French Carine and Karine, and the Spanish Carina.
- Meaning: "beloved" (Italian) or "friend" (Irish)
- Origin: Italian and Irish
- Type: Variant of Cara
- Usage: English-speaking countries