Karia

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAR-ee-uh /ˈkɑr.i.ə/Medium

Meaning: Karia may be a variant of Kara - from Latin cara, 'dear', or a short form of Katherine - or a spelling of Caria, an ancient region of southwestern Anatolia. Routes here are uncertain.Low

In 30 seconds: Karia may be a variant of Kara ('dear') or a form of Caria, an ancient region. A rare modern name, said KAR-ee-uh.

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Origin LowEnglish, Greek

MeaningKaria may be a variant of Kara - from Latin cara, 'dear', or a short form of Katherine - or a spelling of Caria, an ancient region of southwestern Anatolia. Routes here are uncertain.

U.S. rank (2024)#16383 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1989

Total births (all-time)≈ 456

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Karia reads two ways. It can be an elaboration of Kara, from the Latin cara, 'dear', or a short form of Katherine; or it can echo Caria, an ancient region of southwestern Anatolia known for the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. In modern American use the Kara route is the likelier one, but this stays uncertain.

It was always rare, given to only about twenty girls a year around its 1989 peak, a fairly recent flicker rather than a mid-century one. The name reads as an uncommon vowel-bright choice still on the fringes of use.

Did you know? Caria was a real historical region of Asia Minor, home to the famous Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, though most modern uses of Karia lean on the popular Kara sound instead.

Overall data confidence 28%

References - Karia — Variant of Kara (Latin cara, 'dear') or Caria (region); route uncertain

Variations

KaraCariaKaria

Nicknames

KariKay

Famous Bearers

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If you like Karia…

Kara— a likely parent, 'dear'

Maria— a like flowing -ia girl's name

Daria— another -ria vintage-modern name

Tania— a similar bright -ia name

Explore names like Karia

By themeuncertain modern variant feminine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Karia mean?

It may be a variant of Kara, 'dear', or a form of Caria, an ancient region of Anatolia. The routes are uncertain.

How do you pronounce Karia?

It is said KAR-ee-uh /ˈkɑr.i.ə/, three syllables with the stress on the first.

Is Karia a boy or girl name?

Karia is used as a girl's name.

Is Karia a popular name?

No, it has always been rare, given to only about twenty girls a year at its peak around nineteen-ninety.