Kara is of Irish origin and means "beloved" or "dear". It has been popular as a given name since the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States and Canada. Kara is also used as a diminutive for names such as Karolina, Karina, or even Karate (as it gained popularity following the release of the film "TheKarate Kid"). The name has gained recognition through notable individuals like Kara DioGuardi, an American singer-songwriter and reality television personality, further popularizing its usage.
The name Kara experienced a notable rise in popularity between the late 70s and early 80s, peaking in 1983 with 17 births. However, it has since declined, with fewer than 10 births per year occurring after 1994. Overall, there were 282 babies named Kara from 1915 to 2004.