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