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Kamara

♀ Girl

Kamara Pronunciation

Kamara is pronounced kə-MAR-ə /kəˈmɑr.ə/High

Meaning: Linked to Swahili-Arabic qamar, 'moon' (as in Kamaria); also a widespread West African (Mandinka) surnameLow

In 30 seconds: A name with two African passports: Kamara echoes Swahili-Arabic 'moon' and serves as one of West Africa's most common surnames. Lunar on one map, family on another.

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Origin MediumSwahili, Arabic, West African

MeaningLinked to Swahili-Arabic qamar, 'moon' (as in Kamaria); also a widespread West African (Mandinka) surname

U.S. rank (2024)#3529 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births44 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2007

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,029

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Kamara has converging roots: as a girls' name it relates to the moon — Swahili-Arabic qamar, behind Kamaria — while as a West African (especially Mandinka) surname it is ubiquitous across the region, carried to the Americas through the diaspora. The two streams meet at the same euphonious spelling.

In U.S. records it appears for girls as a melodic given name and reflects African heritage. Rare, lunar, and diaspora-deep.

Did you know? Kamara is so common a surname across Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia that it crowds European football rosters — a Mandinka name now scoring goals worldwide.

Overall data confidence 62%

Behind the Name — Kamaria — moon connection

Variations

KamariaCamaraKamira

Nicknames

KamMara

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kamara…

Kamaria— the fuller Swahili moon name

Amara— a fellow African-rooted melodic favorite

Tamara— the near-rhyme classic

Kiara— the companion vowel-bright modern name

→ See all names like Kamara

Browse the whole category: All Swahili names → · All Arabic names → · All West African names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Kamara?

Kamara is pronounced kə-MAR-ə (/kəˈmɑr.ə/). Press play above to hear Kamara said aloud.

How do you say Kamara?

Kamara is said kə-MAR-ə (/kəˈmɑr.ə/). Press play above to hear Kamara said aloud.

What does the name Kamara mean?

Kamara is linked to Swahili-Arabic qamar, 'moon', and is also a common West African (Mandinka) surname.

Is Kamara a boy or girl name?

As a given name Kamara is used mainly for girls; this page covers that use.

How popular is Kamara?

Kamara is a rare given name in the U.S.