Kai 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

Kai Rank #76
Kara Rank #989

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 vs #989 for Kara.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Kai ___

  • Kai James
  • Kai Alexander
  • Kai Michael
  • Kai Robert
  • Kai William
  • Kai Thomas

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 Kai

Zara Nova Mila Leo Finn

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 Kai or Kara more popular?

Kai is more popular, ranked #76 compared to Kara at #989 in the United States.

What do Kai and Kara mean?

Kai means "sea" (Hawaiian origin). Kara means "dear, beloved, darling" (Italian/Latin origin).

Are Kai and Kara boy or girl names?

Kai is primarily a boy name. Kara is primarily a girl name.

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