Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Kerra
GirlEnglish, Irish· “uncertain, possibly variant of Kara”
- Meaning
- uncertain, possibly variant of Kara (origin disputed)
- Origin
- English, Irish
- Pronunciation
- KEH-ruh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #2,382 (1975)
- Peak year
- 1997
Meaning and origin of Kerra
Kerra is often said to mean “uncertain, possibly variant of Kara”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and Irish roots.
Kerra is a rare name of uncertain origin. It may be a variant of Kara, which can come from the Italian cara, dear, or from Scandinavian short forms of Katherine. It may also be a feminine form of the Scottish surname Kerr, from a Norse word for marshy ground, or a spelling of the Irish Ciara, dark. Because these sources differ, the meaning is uncertain. It is said KEH-ruh. Kerry and Kera are close in sound.
Popularity over time
Kerra first appears in US Social Security records in 1956. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,382 in 1975, and the most babies received it in 1997, when 44 were named Kerra. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #4,414 in 1980, #5,071 in 2000, and #6,514 in 2010. Of the 1,149 US girls named Kerra since records began, 29% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 301 babies. Since 2010, 109 more have been named Kerra.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Karalyn, Kaisha, Meliza, Kiani, and Tamarah.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Kerra is usually pronounced KEH-ruh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with K and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Kerra
A few middle names that flow with Kerra: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kerra
Similar names
Keira Girl
KEER-uh
“little dark one (from Ciara)” · Irish
#622
Sera Girl
SAIR-uh
“short for Serafina, or variant of Sarah” · English
#6,082
Kiara Girl
kee-AR-uh
“bright, clear; or dark” · Italian
#229
Kendra Girl
KEHN-druh
“modern; possibly feminine of Kendrick” · English
#849
Kiera Girl
KEER-uh
“dark” · Irish
#1,097
Ciara Girl
see-EHR-uh
“dark” · Irish
#1,408
Cara Girl
KAHR-uh
“friend; dear” · Irish
#1,326
Tara Girl
TAIR-uh
“hill; also star” · Irish
#847
Dara Girl
DAR-uh
“several origins; oak (Irish)” · Irish
#1,129
Shanna Girl
SHA-nuh
“variant of Shannon, or of Shana” · Irish
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Nora Girl
NOR-uh
“honor; short form of Eleanor or Honora” · Irish
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Rylee Girl
RY-lee
“form of Riley; from a surname” · Irish
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Lists that include Kerra
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kerra mean?
Kerra is often said to mean “uncertain, possibly variant of Kara”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and Irish roots.
What is the origin of the name Kerra?
Kerra has English and Irish roots. Kerra is a rare name of uncertain origin.
Is Kerra a popular name?
No. Kerra was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Kerra a boy or girl name?
Kerra is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Kerra?
Kerra is usually pronounced KEH-ruh. 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