Cara

For many more names, please Return to Edgar's Main Page.

Cara

Gender: Feminine
Language: English, Italian
Etymology:
Cara and Carina both come from an Italian term of endearment, “cara,” or “carina,” meaning “Dear One.”

History:
Cara, like the equivalent French Chérie, was originally a term of endearment (like “Honey” or “Sweetheart”) that first became used as a name during the 19th century. In the United States, Cara first rose to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s.

Pronunciation: care-ah.

Alternates: Carina, Carisa, Carissa, Carita, Karina, Kara, Karisa, Karissa, Karita.
French: Carine.

See also: Kara, Karina.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.041 % named Kara
0.025 % named Cara
0.013 % named Karina
0.009 % named Carissa
0.004 % named Carina
0.004 % named Karissa
0.002 % named Carisa
0.001 % named Carita
0.001 % named Karisa

Popularity of Cara:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1950: N/A
1950-1960: 875th most popular.
1960-1970: 399th most popular.
1970-1980: 272nd most popular.
1980-1990: 207th most popular.
1990: 243rd most popular.
1991: 234th most popular.
1992: 262nd most popular.
1993: 263rd most popular.
1994: 281st most popular.
1995: 317th most popular.
1996: 335th most popular.
1997: 349th most popular.
1998: 350th most popular.
1999: 387th most popular.
2000: 394th most popular.
2001: 462nd most popular.
2002: 480th most popular.
2003: 504th most popular.

Popularity of Carina:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1980: N/A
1980-1990: 664th most popular.
1990: 538th most popular.
1991: 480th most popular.
1992: 468th most popular.
1993: 441st most popular.
1994: 433rd most popular.
1995: 384th most popular.
1996: 427th most popular.
1997: 535th most popular.
1998: 552nd most popular.
1999: 549th most popular.
2000: 567th most popular.
2001: 613th most popular.
2002: 654th most popular.
2003: 651st most popular.

Popularity of Carissa:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1970: N/A
1970-1980: 559th most popular.
1980-1990: 310th most popular.
1990: 266th most popular.
1991: 259th most popular.
1992: 256th most popular.
1993: 293rd most popular.
1994: 313th most popular.
1995: 335th most popular.
1996: 375th most popular.
1997: 407th most popular.
1998: 396th most popular.
1999: 407th most popular.
2000: 412th most popular.
2001: 411th most popular.
2002: 420th most popular.
2003: 459th most popular.