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 Serena mean?
Serena comes from the Latin for “serene” or “calm.”
Cara vs Serena
Which is more popular?
Serena is more popular than Cara today: about 942 US babies were given the name Serena in 2025, compared with 168 named Cara.
| Cara | Serena | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Beloved, dear | Serene, calm |
| Origin | italian | Italian |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | KAH-ruh | seh-REH-nah |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1882 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1985 (1,465) | 2000 (1,504) |
| In 2025 | 168 | 942 |
| Trend | Declining | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Cara
Serena
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Cara | Serena |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,273 | 5,054 |
| 2010s | 3,830 | 7,331 |
| 2000s | 6,034 | 10,634 |
| 1990s | 9,844 | 8,444 |
| 1980s | 13,277 | 5,263 |
| 1970s | 10,413 | 4,844 |
| 1960s | 5,779 | 2,568 |
| 1950s | 1,291 | 1,055 |
| 1940s | 492 | 595 |
| 1930s | 305 | 354 |
| 1920s | 281 | 406 |
| 1910s | 219 | 359 |
| 1900s | 113 | 218 |
| 1890s | 91 | 184 |
| 1880s | 63 | 141 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Cara or Serena more popular?
Serena is more popular than Cara today: about 942 US babies were given the name Serena in 2025, compared with 168 named Cara.
What is the difference between Cara and Serena?
Cara means Beloved, dear (italian origin), while Serena means Serene, calm (Italian origin).
Which name is older, Cara or Serena?
In US records, Cara first appears in 1882 and Serena in 1880, so Serena has the longer recorded history.