Barbara vs Kara

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Barbara

Girl #860 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"foreign woman, stranger"

Origin: Greek barbaros

Cultural Roots

English American German Italian Spanish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#860
Total SSA Count
313
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Barb, Barbie, Babs

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Barbara →

Kara

Girl #989 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"dear, beloved, darling"

Origin: Italian/Latin

Cultural Roots

Italian Turkish Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#989
Total SSA Count
261
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kara →

Popularity Comparison

Barbara Rank #860
Kara Rank #989

Barbara is more popular, ranked #860 vs #989 for Kara.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Barbara ___

  • Barbara Ann
  • Barbara Jean
  • Barbara Lee
  • Barbara Lynn
  • Barbara Kay
  • Barbara Jane

Kara ___

  • Kara Louise
  • Kara Anne
  • Kara Marie
  • Kara Elizabeth
  • Kara Sophia
  • Kara Jane

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Barbara

Patricia Nancy Linda Judith Robert

If you choose Kara

Mara Tara Lara Marcus Derek

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Barbara or Kara more popular?

Barbara is more popular, ranked #860 compared to Kara at #989 in the United States.

What do Barbara and Kara mean?

Barbara means "foreign woman, stranger" (Greek barbaros origin). Kara means "dear, beloved, darling" (Italian/Latin origin).

Are Barbara and Kara boy or girl names?

Barbara is primarily a girl name. Kara is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Barbara ← Full profile: Kara Browse all baby names