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 Sienna mean?
From the Italian city of Siena and its russet earth pigment, sienna.
Cara vs Sienna
Which is more popular?
Sienna is more popular than Cara today: about 2,659 US babies were given the name Sienna in 2025, compared with 168 named Cara.
| Cara | Sienna | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Beloved, dear | Reddish-brown |
| Origin | italian | Italian |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | KAH-ruh | see-EN-uh |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1882 | 1960 |
| Peak year | 1985 (1,465) | 2025 (2,659) |
| In 2025 | 168 | 2,659 |
| Trend | Declining | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Cara
Sienna
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Cara | Sienna |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,273 | 12,482 |
| 2010s | 3,830 | 14,136 |
| 2000s | 6,034 | 10,685 |
| 1990s | 9,844 | 2,151 |
| 1980s | 13,277 | 305 |
| 1970s | 10,413 | 102 |
| 1960s | 5,779 | 16 |
| 1950s | 1,291 | 0 |
| 1940s | 492 | 0 |
| 1930s | 305 | 0 |
| 1920s | 281 | 0 |
| 1910s | 219 | 0 |
| 1900s | 113 | 0 |
| 1890s | 91 | 0 |
| 1880s | 63 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Cara or Sienna more popular?
Sienna is more popular than Cara today: about 2,659 US babies were given the name Sienna in 2025, compared with 168 named Cara.
What is the difference between Cara and Sienna?
Cara means Beloved, dear (italian origin), while Sienna means Reddish-brown (Italian origin).
Which name is older, Cara or Sienna?
In US records, Cara first appears in 1882 and Sienna in 1960, so Cara has the longer recorded history.