Kara in Chinese
Kara in Chinese is 卡拉 (Kǎ Lā).
- Origin
- Italian/Greek
- Meaning
- dear; pure
The name traces back to Italian/Greek sources, where it is usually explained as "dear; pure". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1896 and peaked in 1991.
3 ways to write Kara
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
卡拉
Kǎ Lā
The standard transliteration of Kara: 卡 (kǎ, "card (phonetic 'ca/ka')"), 拉 (lā, "to pull (phonetic 'la')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Each character maps to one sound of the English name: 卡 (kǎ) carries "ka", 拉 (lā) carries "ra". The tone contour is 3-1 (dipping, high level).
Character breakdown
13 strokes total (simplified)- 卡
kǎ
Tone 3 · 5 strokes (simplified)
card (phonetic 'ca/ka')
- 拉
lā
Tone 1 · 8 strokes (simplified)
to pull (phonetic 'la')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
心怡
Xīn Yí
Inspired by "dear; pure": 心 (xīn, "heart, mind") + 怡 (yí, "joyful, harmonious"), expressing love, joy and blessings.
Why these characters?
Because Kara is linked to "dear", the name leads with 心 (heart, mind); 怡 (joyful, harmonious) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
12 strokes total (simplified)- 心
xīn
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
heart, mind
- 怡
yí
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
joyful, harmonious
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
卡悦
Kǎ Yuè
卡 (kǎ, "card (phonetic 'ca/ka')") + 悦 (yuè, "pleased, delighted"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 卡 (kǎ), the same opening character as the transliteration 卡拉, for the "ka" sound, and replaces the rest with 悦 ("pleased, delighted") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
15 strokes total (simplified)- 卡
kǎ
Tone 3 · 5 strokes (simplified)
card (phonetic 'ca/ka')
- 悦
yuè
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
pleased, delighted
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 98,671 girls named Kara since 1896, with the high point in 1991 (3,279 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #110 to #515 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1991
- Peak decade
- 1980s
- First year
- 1896
- Total since 1880
- 98,671
More About Kara in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Kara offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Kara, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Ana in Chinese, Natasha in Chinese, and Gabriela in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Kendra in Chinese, Brandi in Chinese, and Harper in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Kara, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Kara to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Kara translated into Chinese?
卡拉 (Kǎ Lā), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Does Kara change in traditional Chinese?
No. 卡拉 uses only characters that are the same in both scripts, so one design works everywhere.
Is there a Chinese name for Kara with real meaning?
Try 心怡 (Xīn Yí): heart, mind + joyful, harmonious, inspired by "dear; pure". For something that still sounds like Kara, 卡悦 (Kǎ Yuè) is a middle ground.