NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Carra

Of unknown origin, a feminine name sometimes associated with strength.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Carra is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Carra popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4564, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 5 births.

This profile covers 22 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 1996 to 2009. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 37 living people in the UK are called Carra. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2010 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Carra ranked #4564 for girls in England and Wales in 2009, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1997, when 5 girls were registered as Carra.
  • Carra ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #668 in 2009.
  • About 37 living people in the UK are estimated to have Carra as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4564

2009

Births in 2009

4

Latest year

Peak year

1997

5 births

Estimated living

37

2026

Meaning

What does Carra mean?

The given name Carra is believed to have its origins in the Celtic languages, with roots tracing back to ancient Gaelic dialects spoken in regions that are now part of modern-day Ireland and Scotland. It is thought to be a variant of the name Cara, which itself is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "cáera," meaning "friend" or "beloved one."

In its earliest forms, the name Carra was likely used as a term of endearment or as a nickname for someone who was highly valued or cherished within their community. The first recorded instances of the name's usage can be found in ancient Irish annals and genealogical records dating back to the 5th century AD.

One of the earliest notable figures to bear the name Carra was Saint Carra, an Irish nun and abbess who lived in the 6th century AD. She is venerated as the founder of the Benedictine monastery of Killcarra in County Mayo, Ireland, and is celebrated in the region for her piety and devotion to religious life.

Another historical figure associated with the name Carra was Carra MacAirt, a semi-legendary king of the Ailech dynasty, who is said to have ruled over parts of Ulster and Northern Ireland in the 3rd century AD. While the historical accuracy of his reign is debated, he remains an important figure in Irish folklore and tradition.

In the 12th century, Carra Ó Lochlainn, a powerful chieftain and member of the Northern Uí Néill dynasty, played a significant role in the political and military affairs of medieval Ireland. He was a prominent leader in the resistance against Anglo-Norman invasion and is remembered for his bravery and strategic prowess.

During the 16th century, Carra O'Daly, an Irish noblewoman and heiress, became renowned for her acts of generosity and charity towards the poor and underprivileged. Her philanthropic efforts and dedication to social welfare earned her widespread admiration and respect throughout the region.

In more recent times, Carra Gregg, a 19th-century Irish novelist and poet, gained recognition for her literary works that explored themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human emotions. Her poignant writing style and evocative prose earned her a place among the celebrated authors of her era.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Carra over time

The chart below shows babies named Carra registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2009. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Carra, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2009, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Carra
01345199620022009

Decades

Carra by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Carra was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2000s #4453 11 3
1990s #3460 11 3

Geography

Where Carra is most common

The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Carra. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.

Carra ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #668 in 2009.

Scotland
4

Across the UK

Carra in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland (NRS)

#668 in 2009

4 years of NRS records, 15 total registered

Related

Names similar to Carra

FAQ

Carra: questions and answers

How popular is the name Carra in the UK right now?

In 2009, Carra was ranked #4564 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Carra most popular?

The peak year on record was 1997, with 5 babies registered as Carra in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Carra?

Of unknown origin, a feminine name sometimes associated with strength.

How many people are called Carra in the UK?

A total of 22 babies have been registered as Carra across the 6 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 15 more in Scotland.

Where is Carra most common?

In the latest published local rankings, Carra ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #668 in 2009. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.