If you’re on the hunt for the perfect baby name for your little bundle of joy, the national charts are a great place to start and provide lots of inspiration for prospective parents.
Here at RollerCoaster HQ, we’re always on the hunt for beautiful baby names and we certainly have a soft spot for our homegrown monikers.
So, when we spotted this twist on a classic that has been rising in favour amongst parents in recent years, we just had to share!
As it has been a hit with mums and dads for many years, we weren’t surprised to see that parents are continuously showing the classic Irish name the love it deserves and have also put their own spin on the name too.
Both making it to the top 100 names for little girls in 2025, Cara meets Caragh, an emerging alternative spelling to the beloved name.
Cara has stood the test of time with its beautiful meaning, ‘friend’, and its lovely lyrical quality perfect for your baby girl.
Caragh has been on the rise for many years now, but has only made it into the top 100 since 2024.
Popularity
Cara enjoyed its time in the top 100 spots for the 25th consecutive year in 2025, sitting in the 52nd place with 94 baby Caras born last year.
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Caragh on the other hand has seen a sharp rise compared to the previous year, sitting at 98th with 48 babies given the name in 2024 compared to 2025 when it ranked in at 80th with 61 babies born.
Cara first appeared on the charts in 1966, according to the CSO, while it wasn’t until five years later Caragh popped up.
Since then, Cara has enjoyed a mostly steady rise in popularity, peaking in 2023 in the 27th position, whereas Caragh has failed to appear in some years from the 1980s to the 2000s.
Since 2001, Caragh has remained on the charts and is now getting the spotlight it deserves amongst the top 100!
What do you think of the name Caragh? Do you prefer Cara or Caragh?
* This article was originally published on Rollercoaster.ie.
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