Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Kamara
Girl· “uncertain; possibly related to Kamala”
- Meaning
- uncertain; possibly related to Kamala (origin disputed)
- Pronunciation
- kuh-MAR-uh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #3,943
- US babies 2025
- 37
- Best rank
- #2,235 (2007)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Kamara
Kamara is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly related to Kamala”; the origin is uncertain.
Kamara has several possible sources, and none of them is clearly the root of the name as used in America. It is a well-known West African surname, especially in Sierra Leone and Guinea. It also looks like a relative of Kamala, a Sanskrit name meaning lotus, and like the blend names Kamaria and Tamara. For these reasons its meaning is best described as uncertain. It is pronounced kuh-MAR-uh, with the stress in the middle. The name has a smooth, rhythmic sound, and Kam or Mara make convenient short forms.
Popularity over time
Kamara first appears in US Social Security records in 1965. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,235 in 2007, the same year it reached its highest count of 88 babies. In 2025, 37 babies were named Kamara, and it ranked #3,943 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #6,082 in 1980, #3,617 in 2000, #2,393 in 2010, and #3,943 in 2025. Of the 2,066 US girls named Kamara since records began, 29% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 546 babies. Since 2010, 859 more have been named Kamara.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Jakira, Breasia, Marly, Haydee, and Jackelin.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Kamara over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Kamara is usually pronounced kuh-MAR-uh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with K and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Kamara
A few middle names that flow with Kamara: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kamara
Similar names
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Lists that include Kamara
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kamara mean?
Kamara is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly related to Kamala”; the origin is uncertain.
Is Kamara a popular name?
Not especially. Kamara ranked #3,943 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Kamara a boy or girl name?
Kamara is mainly a girl's name. About 98% of US babies named Kamara over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Kamara?
Kamara is usually pronounced kuh-MAR-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings