Boy name
Kara name meaning
“black; dark-colored, dark-complexioned”
Kara means “black,” “dark-coloured” or “dark-complexioned.” It comes from the Turkish colour word kara, also found in early Turkic languages. Used for boys and as a surname in Türkiye, the name has a concrete visual association with black stone or the coat of a dark horse.
What does Kara mean?
Black; dark-colored, dark-complexioned
In Turkish: siyah; koyu renkli, esmer
Kara appears in Turkish naming both independently and as an element in compound names and historical epithets. Names such as Kara Han and Kara Yusuf illustrate this tradition. The color word has several figurative uses, but these should not all be treated as literal meanings of the given name.
Origin of the name Kara
From Turkish kara, “black” or “dark,” a color word also attested in early Turkic languages. The name is generally connected with this color sense.
Double names with Kara
Double-name ideas built from names in our dictionary, with the meaning of each name.
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Kara Saruhan
Meaning of each name
- Kara: black; dark-colored, dark-complexioned
- Saruhan: yellow or fair khan; fair ruler
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Buğra Kara
Meaning of each name
- Buğra: male camel; a historical royal title
- Kara: black; dark-colored, dark-complexioned
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Kara Alpay
Meaning of each name
- Kara: black; dark-colored, dark-complexioned
- Alpay: a compound name evoking valour and the moon
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Orçun Kara
Meaning of each name
- Orçun: Numerous, abundant
- Kara: black; dark-colored, dark-complexioned
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Kara Atabey
Meaning of each name
- Kara: black; dark-colored, dark-complexioned
- Atabey: princely tutor; father and lord
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Şener Kara
Meaning of each name
- Şener: a cheerful man; a joyful person
- Kara: black; dark-colored, dark-complexioned
How to pronounce Kara
| Syllables | 2 · 4 letters · 4-letter boy names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /kaɾa/ |
| Ottoman Turkish | قره |
Is Kara a boy’s name?
Yes, Kara is used mostly as a boy’s name. In our data, 36% of bearers are male. See all boy names.
Kara does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 16 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Spellings and similar names
Names that sound like Kara
Famous people named Kara
- Kara Mehmet · b. 1800
- Kara Kemal · b. 1868
- Kara Ahmed · b. 1870
- Kara İbrahim Paşa
- Kara Emre
FAQ about the name Kara
What is the meaning of Kara?
Kara means “black; dark-colored, dark-complexioned”. From Turkish kara, “black” or “dark,” a color word also attested in early Turkic languages. The name is generally connected with this color sense.
Is Kara a boy’s name?
Yes, Kara is used mostly as a boy’s name. In our data, 36% of bearers are male.
Is Kara in the Quran?
No. Neither the name Kara nor its source word occurs in the Quran.
What is the origin of the name Kara?
Kara is of Turkish origin.
How many syllables does Kara have?
Kara has 2 syllables and 4 letters.
How popular is the name Kara?
Kara does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 16 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
What names go well with Kara?
Some ideas: Kara Saruhan; Buğra Kara; Kara Alpay.
Famous people named Kara?
Notable people named Kara include Kara Mehmet, Kara Kemal, Kara Ahmed.
Sources and method
Meanings and origins draw on language sources and name dictionaries; popularity figures come from TÜİK’s address-based population register, and notable people from Wikidata.
Entry ID: nm01404 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake