Cara is a distinctive choice, ranked #454 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Cara in their class.
💎
UK Rank 2024
#454
US Rank #909
About the Name Cara
Cara has seen a notable decline in recent years, dropping 127 places in five years. It was most popular in 2001 at #140 — parents choosing it today are making a deliberately counter-trend decision. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
Cara is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it sits at #909 — notably more popular in the UK than across the Atlantic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Cara
Unlikely. With around 91 UK babies named Cara per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Cara in her class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Cara has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 127 places in the last five years. Its peak was #140 in 2001. Choosing it now means she is likely to be among the last of her generation with this name.
Cara is more popular in the UK (#454) than in the US (#909). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Cara include: Cara (surname) — Cara is a surname of multiple origins.; Cara-Beth Burnside — Cara-Beth Burnside, nicknamed "CB", is a professional skateboarder and snowboarder and has been ranked amongst the top female athletes in these sports in the...; Cara Pavalock-D'Amato — Cara C..
Cara does not appear in the US top 1,000 baby names, making it a distinctively British choice — your child is unlikely to encounter American Caras in the wild.
91
UK babies named Cara (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.1
In a school of 600
↓ 127 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Cara
Likely around 1 other Cara in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2020)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Cara
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Cara is a surname of multiple origins. Notable people with the surname include: Alessia Cara, Canadian singer Ana Cara, Argentine creolist, translator, and professor Cécilia Cara is a French actress and singer Daniel Cara, Brazilian educator, political scientist, and politician Gaetano Cara, Italian archaeologist and naturalist primarily interested in ornithology Irene Cara, American singer and actress Jean-Paul Cara, French singer and composer Mac Cara, American footballer Marchetto Cara (c.
Marchetto Cara was an Italian composer, lutenist and singer of the Renaissance. He was mainly active in Mantua, was well-connected with the Gonzaga and Medici families, and, along with Bartolomeo Tromboncino, was well known as a composer of frottolas.
Cara-Beth Burnside, nicknamed "CB", is a professional skateboarder and snowboarder and has been ranked amongst the top female athletes in these sports in the world. She was the first president of the Action Sports Alliance.
Cara C. Pavalock-D'Amato is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 77th district.