Kara

Origin

From the Māori language, the name 'Kara' appears as a variation of 'Kara,' which means 'to entreat' or 'to beg'. It is also related to the Māori word 'kāre' meaning 'no' or 'not'. The name has been adopted in Australia partly through Māori communities and through cultural exchange. In Western contexts, 'Kara' is used as a given name with no specific linguistic roots in Aboriginal Australian languages, although similar sounding names may exist in Indigenous languages.

Meaning

In Australian English contexts, 'Kara' often means 'beloved' or 'dear', derived from its phonetic similarity to names meaning 'charming' or 'precious'. Its name meaning conveys affection and endearment.

Pronunciation

/'kɑːrə/ - with stress on the first syllable, pronounced as 'KAH-rah' in Australian English, with both vowels elongated and softly articulated. It is pronounced with a long 'a' as in 'car', and 'ra' as in 'rah'.

Variants & Nicknames

Name Days

• 24 March (Māori Language Day) - Celebrates Māori language and culture, occasionally observed in Australia among Māori communities.
• 25 April (Anzac Day) - While not a religious name day, culturally significant in Australia and New Zealand, commemorating military service.
• Māori Language Day (24 March) - Celebrated among Māori in Australia and New Zealand, promoting language revitalisation.

Name Pairings

Names that pair well with kara:

• Jessica and Kara
• Emma and Kara','Lily and Kara
• Sophie and Kara

Fun Facts

• The name 'Kara' is also used for Australian racehorses, often symbolising speed and agility.
• In Australian pop culture, characters named Kara appear in TV series and literature, reflecting its popularity in contemporary media.
• The name 'Kara' gained popularity in Australia during the early 2000s, partly influenced by global media and local celebrities.

Personality Traits

Common traits associated with the name kara:

• Charismatic
• Creative
• Compassionate
• Energetic

Aesthetic Qualities

Simple yet elegant, the name 'Kara' has clear, balanced letterforms. It conveys a clean, modern aesthetic suitable for contemporary design and branding.

Geographical Distribution

More common in urban areas such as Sydney and Melbourne, especially among Māori and Pacific Islander communities, but also popular city-wide as a first name.

Numerological Significance

Name number 7, associated with introspection, spirituality, and analytical thinking, aligning with a thoughtful personality profile in numerology practices.

Astrological Connections

Associated with the moon in astrology, representing emotional sensitivity and nurturing qualities, making it a symbolic choice for individuals born under water or lunar signs.

Historical Context

The name has been popularised in Australia through Māori communities and gained widespread use in the late 20th century. Notable Australians with the name include singer Kara, and various actresses and public figures.

Linguistic Adaptability

Adapts seamlessly across English and other languages, often retained with the same spelling. In non-Latin scripts, it is transliterated phonetically, e.g., 카라 in Korean, Кара in Cyrillic.

Famous People Named kara

• Kara Bosko (Australian singer and songwriter)
• Kara Rose (Australian actress)
• Kara Tait (Australian actress known for television roles)

Popularity in Australia