Cara
An Italian surname derived from the Latin word "carus," meaning beloved or dear.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 788 Americans carry the last name Cara. That puts it at #33,036 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.23 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 434,967 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Cara surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
788
1 in 434,967
Census rank
#33,036
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
693
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 693 bearers of the surname Cara in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 33036th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Cara, the largest self-reported group is White at 61.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (22.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (12.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Cara
The surname CARA is of Italian origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Latin word "carus," meaning "dear" or "beloved." This name likely originated as a nickname or descriptive term for someone who was highly valued or cherished within their community.
The earliest recorded instances of the CARA surname can be traced back to the regions of Tuscany and Umbria in central Italy during the 13th and 14th centuries. Historical records from this time period, including municipal archives and church registers, contain references to individuals bearing variations of the name, such as Cara, Caro, and Carri.
One of the earliest known bearers of the CARA name was Giovanni Cara, a prominent merchant and landowner who lived in the city of Perugia, Umbria, in the late 13th century. Records from the Perugia municipal archives mention his involvement in various trade agreements and land transactions.
In the 15th century, the CARA surname gained prominence in the region of Tuscany, particularly in the city of Florence. Sebastiano Cara, a skilled sculptor and architect, was commissioned to work on several notable projects, including the design of the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore's façade in 1588.
During the Renaissance period, the CARA name was also associated with the arts and literature. Tommaso Cara, a poet and playwright born in Siena in 1472, gained recognition for his works celebrating the beauty of the Tuscan landscape and the virtues of courtly love.
As the CARA surname spread across Italy, it became intertwined with various place names. For instance, in the region of Campania, the town of Caramanico Terme derived its name from the Latin phrase "Cara Manica," which translates to "dear dwelling."
Notable individuals with the CARA surname include:
1. Gaetano Cara (1801-1885), an Italian botanist and naturalist known for his contributions to the study of Mediterranean flora.
2. Maria Cara (1888-1968), an Italian opera singer who performed at renowned venues such as La Scala in Milan.
3. Antonio Cara (1927-2003), an Italian film director and screenwriter, best known for his neorealist films depicting the struggles of working-class Italians.
4. Giancarlo Cara (born 1942), an Italian businessman and entrepreneur, the founder of the successful fashion brand Cara Moda.
5. Alessandra Cara (born 1996), a Canadian singer-songwriter of Italian descent, known for her hit singles "Here" and "Scars to Your Beautiful."
While the CARA surname has endured for centuries, its origins can be traced back to the heartlands of medieval Italy, where it was borne by individuals who were cherished and valued within their communities.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Cara
Among Census respondents with the surname Cara, the largest self-reported group is White at 61.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (22.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (12.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Cara bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Cara surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White61.6%
- Hispanic or Latino22.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander12.8%
- Black or African American1.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Cara surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #33,036 | #33,036 | 0.0% |
| Count | 693 | 693 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Cara bearers went from 693 to 693 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #33,036 to #33,036.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Cara
FAQ
Cara surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Cara?
The surname Cara holds position #33,036 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 788 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Cara surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Cara, the largest self-reported group is White at 61.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (22.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (12.8%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.