Kara vs Mariah

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 →

Mariah

Girl #413 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"sea of bitterness"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English American Spanish Italian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#413
Total SSA Count
756
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mari, Ria, Riah

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Mariah →

Popularity Comparison

Kara Rank #989
Mariah Rank #413

Mariah is more popular, ranked #413 vs #989 for Kara.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Kara ___

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

Mariah ___

  • Mariah Grace
  • Mariah Louise
  • Mariah Lynn
  • Mariah Joy
  • Mariah Faith
  • Mariah Elaine

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Kara

Mara Tara Lara Marcus Derek

If you choose Mariah

Isaiah Elijah Ariana Selena Brianna

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 Kara or Mariah more popular?

Mariah is more popular, ranked #413 compared to Kara at #989 in the United States.

What do Kara and Mariah mean?

Kara means "dear, beloved, darling" (Italian/Latin origin). Mariah means "sea of bitterness" (Hebrew origin).

Are Kara and Mariah boy or girl names?

Kara is primarily a girl name. Mariah is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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