Kara vs Tara

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 →

Tara

Girl #1,022 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"rocky hill, hill of kings"

Origin: Celtic

Cultural Roots

Irish Indian American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,022
Total SSA Count
247
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Tar

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Tara →

Popularity Comparison

Kara Rank #989
Tara Rank #1,022

Kara is more popular, ranked #989 vs #1022 for Tara.

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

Tara ___

  • Tara Louise
  • Tara Anne
  • Tara Marie
  • Tara Jean
  • Tara Elizabeth
  • Tara Grace

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Kara

Mara Tara Lara Marcus Derek

If you choose Tara

Liam Niamh Finn Sinead Brendan

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 Tara more popular?

Kara is more popular, ranked #989 compared to Tara at #1022 in the United States.

What do Kara and Tara mean?

Kara means "dear, beloved, darling" (Italian/Latin origin). Tara means "rocky hill, hill of kings" (Celtic origin).

Are Kara and Tara boy or girl names?

Kara is primarily a girl name. Tara is primarily a girl name.

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