What does Cara mean?
From the Italian and Latin cara, feminine of caro/carus 'dear, beloved'. A direct term of endearment pressed into use as a given name.
What does Elisa mean?
Elisa is an Italian short form of Elisabetta, “God is my oath.”
Cara vs Elisa
Which is more popular?
Elisa is more popular than Cara today: about 674 US babies were given the name Elisa in 2025, compared with 168 named Cara.
| Cara | Elisa | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Beloved, dear | God is my oath |
| Origin | italian | Italian |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | KAH-ruh | eh-LEE-zah |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1882 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1985 (1,465) | 2012 (849) |
| In 2025 | 168 | 674 |
| Trend | Declining | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Cara
Elisa
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Cara | Elisa |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,273 | 4,236 |
| 2010s | 3,830 | 6,579 |
| 2000s | 6,034 | 5,373 |
| 1990s | 9,844 | 5,569 |
| 1980s | 13,277 | 6,739 |
| 1970s | 10,413 | 6,020 |
| 1960s | 5,779 | 6,196 |
| 1950s | 1,291 | 2,720 |
| 1940s | 492 | 1,044 |
| 1930s | 305 | 1,056 |
| 1920s | 281 | 1,129 |
| 1910s | 219 | 560 |
| 1900s | 113 | 219 |
| 1890s | 91 | 128 |
| 1880s | 63 | 93 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Cara or Elisa more popular?
Elisa is more popular than Cara today: about 674 US babies were given the name Elisa in 2025, compared with 168 named Cara.
What is the difference between Cara and Elisa?
Cara means Beloved, dear (italian origin), while Elisa means God is my oath (Italian origin).
Which name is older, Cara or Elisa?
In US records, Cara first appears in 1882 and Elisa in 1880, so Elisa has the longer recorded history.