Cara

girlIrish and Italian

Cara is an girl name of Irish and Italian origin, meaning “Friend; dear, beloved”.

MeaningFriend; dear, beloved
GenderGirl
OriginIrish and Italian
PronunciationKAR-uh
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inIreland, United Kingdom, United States, Italy

Meaning and origin of Cara

Cara has two independent sources. In Irish, cara means 'friend', and in Italian, cara means 'dear' or 'beloved', from Latin carus. Both meanings are warm, and the name has been used in English-speaking countries since the twentieth century. The model and actress Cara Delevingne is a well-known modern bearer.

Is Cara a religious name?

Cara has no religious background; it is a simple word name in Irish and Italian.

How popular is Cara?

A familiar, moderately used name in Ireland and the UK.

Gifts with the name Cara

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Spellings and variants of Cara

KaraCarinaCaragh

Names similar to Cara

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Cara mean?

Cara means 'Friend; dear, beloved'. It is of Irish and Italian origin.

Does Cara have a religious meaning?

Cara has no religious background; it is a simple word name in Irish and Italian.

How do you pronounce Cara?

Cara is pronounced KAR-uh.

Is Cara a boy or girl name?

Cara is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.