Dana vs Kara

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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

Dana Rank #1,076
Kara Rank #989

Kara is more popular, ranked #989 vs #1076 for Dana.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Dana ___

  • Dana Marie
  • Dana Lynn
  • Dana Nicole
  • Dana Rose
  • Dana Elizabeth
  • Dana Christine

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 Dana

Lisa Karen Diane Scott Mark

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 Dana or Kara more popular?

Kara is more popular, ranked #989 compared to Dana at #1076 in the United States.

What do Dana and Kara mean?

Dana means "judge, arbiter" (Hebrew origin). Kara means "dear, beloved, darling" (Italian/Latin origin).

Are Dana and Kara boy or girl names?

Dana is primarily a girl name. Kara is primarily a girl name.

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