Cara \c(a)-ra\ as a girl's name is pronounced KAR-ah, KEER-ah. It is of Latin, Irish and Gaelic origin, and the meaning of Cara is "beloved; friend". 20th-century coinage. Feminine form of the Latin and Italian word for "dear". In Irish "cara" means "friend". See also Caroline.

Cara has 26 variant forms: Caera, Carabelle, Caragh, Carah, Caralea, Caralee, Caralia, Caralie, Caralin, Caralyn, Caranda, Caretta, Carina, Carine, Carrie, Carry, Kaara, Kaira, Kara, Karalee, Karina, Karine, Karra, Karrie, Karry and Lacara.

For more information, see also related names Careen, Carissa, Carita and Charis.

Baby names that sound like Cara are Cary, Cari, Caro and Cora.