Kari
Kari is a boy's name of Norse origin.
Meaning
Curly-haired or gust of wind.
Origin and history
As a male name, Kari is primarily derived from Old Norse Kári, meaning 'curly-haired' or 'gust of wind'. In Old Norse mythology, Kári was a personification of the wind. Though more commonly feminine in the United States, it retains steady usage as a masculine name derived from Scandinavian tradition.
Popularity in the United States
931 babies in the United States have been named Kari since 1880. It ranks #3747 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1711.
States where it is most popular
- GA (46.2 %)
- OH (26.9 %)
- TX (26.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 33 |
| 1960-1970 | 84 |
| 1970-1980 | 164 |
| 1980-1990 | 138 |
| 1990-2000 | 94 |
| 2000-2010 | 71 |
| 2010-2019 | 131 |
| 2020-2029 | 216 |
Famous people named Kari
- Kari Lehtonen: Ice hockey player
- Kari Eloranta: Ice hockey player, Coach
Fun facts
- In Old Norse mythology, Kári was a deity and giant who personified the wind.
- While commonly feminine in North America, Kari remains a traditional masculine name in Finland and Norway.