Chara or Chará is a feminine given name and a surname. Chara mostly is used as the greek "çñÃÂì" with english lettering but Chara can also be an English name. Chara is an English feminine given name that is a diminutive form of Charlotte as well as an alternate form of Cara and Kara from the Latin cÃÂrus meaning âÂÂdarling, beloved, dear, loved oneâÂÂ. Chara is also a Spanish feminine given name as an alternate form for Sarah. Chará (Greek: çñÃÂì) is a Greek feminine given name from the Ancient Greek word khará which means joy, gladness. It is a short form of the feminine name CharalampÃÂa which is a combination of the Ancient Greek roots khará (joy, gladness) and lámpà  (shine). It is also a short form of the feminine name Chariclea who was one of the Forty Holy Virgin Martyrs who were tortured because they would not offer sacrifice to idols and kept their Christian Faith. Chariclea is a combination of the Ancient Greek roots charis (grace) and kleos (glory). Notable people who are known by this name include the following: