Kari
Kari is a girl's name of Norse origin.
Meaning
Pure.
Origin and history
Kari is a Scandinavian name derived from Katherine, meaning pure, though it also exists as a standalone Old Norse name. It gained significant popularity in the United States during the mid-to-late 20th century. While its popularity has moderated in recent years, it remains a recognized classical choice.
Popularity in the United States
59,696 babies in the United States have been named Kari since 1880. It ranks #528 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1390.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10.3 %)
- MN (8.9 %)
- WI (6.2 %)
- MI (5.9 %)
- IL (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 25 |
| 1940-1950 | 157 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,238 |
| 1960-1970 | 10,972 |
| 1970-1980 | 18,753 |
| 1980-1990 | 17,543 |
| 1990-2000 | 6,315 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,800 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,166 |
| 2020-2029 | 727 |
Famous people named Kari
- Kari Byron: Television host, Artist
- Kari Matchett: Actress
- Kari Wuhrer: Actress, Singer
Fun facts
- In Old Norse mythology, Kári was a deity personifying the wind, though the female name Kari mostly arose as a diminutive of Katherine.
- Kari saw its highest usage in the United States between the 1960s and 1980s.