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Kari as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Kari

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The baby name Kari is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced Common pronunciations: English /ˈkæri/ or /ˈkɑːri/ (KAR-ee/KAH-ree); Norwegian/Finnish /ˈkɑri/ (KAH-ri).

Gender: Female
Syllables: 2.0
Pronunciation: Common pronunciations: English /ˈkæri/ or /ˈkɑːri/ (KAR-ee/KAH-ree); Norwegian/Finnish /ˈkɑri/ (KAH-ri)

What is the meaning of the name Kari ?

The baby name Kari is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced Common pronunciations: English /ˈkæri/ or /ˈkɑːri/ (KAR-ee/KAH-ree); Norwegian/Finnish /ˈkɑri/ (KAH-ri).

Kari is in Origin.

Kari bridges several traditions. In the Nordic masculine line it reflects Old Norse Kári, linked either to kárr “curly, wavy-haired” or to the wind-personification Kári, hence the sense “gust of wind.” A famed bearer is Kári Sölmundarson from Njáls saga. As a Scandinavian feminine name, especially in Norway, Kari is a short form of Katharina/Katarina, from Greek katharos “pure”; it’s so common that “Kari Nordmann” serves as a generic stand-in for a Norwegian woman.

Usage spans Iceland and the Faroe Islands (masc. Kári), Finland and Estonia (masc. Kari), and Norway/Sweden (fem. Kari). In English-speaking countries it rose in the late 20th century, sometimes echoing Carrie/Kerry. Variants and related forms include Kári, Karri (Finnish), Keri, Kerri, Kariy, Karie, Kary, and Carrie; cognates include Karin, Karen, and Kaja. Meanings offered: “wind; curly/wavy-haired” (Norse) or “pure” (Katherine-derived).

Kari has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Kari

Kari Wahlgren Actor · Born 1977 · United States Kari Wahlgren is an American voice actress best known for her work in anime and animation, especially as Haruko Haruhara in FLCL. She has also voiced major roles like Saya Otonashi in Blood+, Fuu in Samurai Champloo, and Celty Sturluson in Durarara!!. Kari Wuhrer Actor|musician · Born 1967 · United States Kari Wuhrer is an American actress, singer, and model best known for playing Maggie Beckett on Sliders. She also hosted MTV’s Remote Control and starred as Abby Holland on Swamp Thing. Kari Matchett Actor · Born 1970 · Canada Kari Matchett is a Canadian actress best known for playing Joan Campbell on Covert Affairs. She has also appeared as Colleen Blessed on Power Play and as Kate Filmore in the sci-fi film Cube 2: Hypercube.
Kari Bremnes Actor · Born 1956 · Norway Kari Bremnes is a Norwegian singer-songwriter best known for her poetic, jazz- and folk-influenced music, including songs like “Spor” and “E du nord.” Born on 9 December 1956, she studied language, literature, history, and theatre at the University of Oslo and worked as a journalist before focusing on music full-time. Karikala Chola Royal · Born 100 Karikala Chola was a prominent king of the early Chola dynasty in southern India, known for his role in the construction of the Kallanai Dam, one of the oldest water diversion structures in the world. He played a significant part in expanding the Chola kingdom and enhancing its infrastructure.

Kari – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Girls 1989 #1 — 522
Finland Boys 2026 #5 36,775 3,552
Finland Boys 0 #14 6,058 2,041
DJ 0 #17 1 322
TM Girls 0 #35 1 574
EE 0 #37 1 1,051
PR 0 #55 1 1,497
CM 0 #56 1 2,592
Finland 0 #59 618 830
AF 0 #76 1 1,883
MV Boys 0 #79 1 3,375
JM 0 #93 1 3,714
KZ 0 #94 1 1,452
QA 0 #105 2 7,011
Norway Girls 2025 #108 19 453
GE Girls 0 #108 1 1,564
PH 0 #110 1 5,607
BN Girls 0 #114 1 5,459
EC 0 #120 2 2,502
EE Boys 0 #124 2 2,087
GR 0 #134 2 3,911
MU 0 #137 1 3,613
PA 0 #137 2 3,797
BN Boys 0 #138 2 6,332
CR 0 #138 21 5,526
BW Boys 0 #153 2 4,685
HU Boys 0 #164 11 3,954
UY 0 #164 14 2,477
PR Girls 0 #167 1 3,171
AR 0 #173 14 2,915
MT Boys 0 #179 1 4,064
AE 0 #186 2 10,220
LU Girls 0 #190 1 4,850
LT Girls 0 #198 3 1,904
DK 0 #202 5 5,198
BG Girls 0 #203 21 3,559
PL 0 #210 3 2,600
EC Girls 0 #211 29 3,650
SI Boys 0 #211 1 3,402
BG Boys 0 #220 1 3,850
HU Girls 0 #223 3 3,308
AL Girls 0 #227 1 4,141
IR 0 #231 1 4,221
MO Boys 0 #233 2 5,842
NA Girls 0 #236 2 7,146
EC Boys 0 #246 1 3,322
GR Girls 0 #246 4 6,293
AO Boys 0 #248 2 5,568
GH 0 #248 1 5,396
JP Girls 0 #248 4 6,592
PT 0 #250 1 4,161
NA Boys 0 #253 1 6,830
HR Boys 0 #259 1 3,997
MO Girls 0 #259 5 7,056
GR Boys 0 #269 5 6,912
JM Girls 0 #270 9 7,507
NG 0 #272 1 5,926
AF Boys 0 #273 2 3,535
PE 0 #273 38 6,350
Canada Girls 2023 #275 5 2,824
DK Girls 0 #275 42 7,429
GT 0 #280 35 5,948
SG 0 #281 2 11,010
IL 0 #282 1 6,291
TW Girls 0 #282 8 8,139
KZ Boys 0 #291 6 6,578
JM Boys 0 #292 2 6,876
HR Girls 0 #294 1 3,687
KZ Girls 0 #299 22 5,862
AL Boys 0 #302 2 5,122
CZ Boys 0 #302 4 6,530
JP Boys 0 #303 1 7,909
CR Girls 0 #304 253 11,342
QA Girls 0 #307 10 15,378
SA 0 #310 3 10,560
PL Girls 0 #320 35 5,096
CN Boys 0 #329 3 9,639
UY Girls 0 #329 209 6,731
DK Boys 0 #330 3 7,401
CL 0 #333 80 6,867
GH Girls 0 #337 1 6,973
PL Boys 0 #337 4 6,459
JO Girls 0 #339 1 7,570
CZ Girls 0 #343 9 5,378
HK 0 #350 8 8,483
MX 0 #350 64 8,339
AR Girls 0 #351 314 8,289
CN Girls 0 #351 9 8,829
MY 0 #352 3 12,352
BR 0 #356 5 5,969
DZ 0 #358 1,799 20,130
SD Girls 0 #358 1 7,678
GH Boys 0 #361 1 8,138
MU Girls 0 #361 2 8,539
MX Girls 0 #362 2,158 17,781
MU Boys 0 #369 1 8,477
GT Girls 0 #373 137 7,500
PT Boys 0 #377 5 7,951
Finland Girls 0 #381 11 1,368
RU Girls 0 #381 121 11,913
JO Boys 0 #388 2 7,057
BD Girls 0 #402 5 8,413
BO 0 #402 7 6,868
EG 0 #407 6 6,387
PH Boys 0 #408 1 11,440
Austria Girls 0 #410 11 1,885
UY Boys 0 #411 3 5,922
OM Girls 0 #420 5 15,987
PA Girls 0 #422 60 9,861
CL Girls 0 #425 560 14,098
PH Girls 0 #428 2 13,098
PE Girls 0 #434 772 14,861
Spain 0 #442 11 2,326
CO 0 #457 24 7,768
SD Boys 0 #465 2 10,523
ZA 0 #468 7 14,421
PT Girls 0 #469 3 7,952
AR Boys 0 #482 2 7,628
CM Boys 0 #492 59 12,054
GT Boys 0 #496 4 7,625
MA 0 #496 995 20,986
PA Boys 0 #502 4 9,305
CR Boys 0 #505 6 10,188
IQ Girls 0 #518 8 11,303
RU Boys 0 #520 7 12,621
LY 0 #522 14 12,703
CM Girls 0 #528 13 11,671
BO Girls 0 #539 73 9,488
IR Girls 0 #539 7 8,334
PS Girls 0 #541 7 10,981
AE Girls 0 #542 12 20,968
IR Boys 0 #542 11 10,162
BD Boys 0 #552 25 10,045
KW Girls 0 #553 9 19,177
HK Boys 0 #555 3 12,905
PS Boys 0 #561 1 10,655
HK Girls 0 #565 51 16,104
BH 0 #579 9 17,937
IN Girls 0 #619 13 13,121
BO Boys 0 #621 2 9,244
IL Boys 0 #621 5 10,983
SG Girls 0 #624 9 18,916
QA Boys 0 #637 71 18,093
IL Girls 0 #639 7 11,648
CO Girls 0 #647 516 16,140
IQ Boys 0 #654 14 13,071
SG Boys 0 #662 36 17,960
LB 0 #688 3 13,263
IT 0 #693 22 4,183
CL Boys 0 #694 7 13,390
Finland Girls 2026 #730 9 3,895
KW Boys 0 #731 39 18,755
TN 0 #751 79 13,765
Germany Girls 0 #763 76 4,949
NG Girls 0 #764 23 15,093
SY 0 #765 3 11,684
BR Boys 0 #780 6 12,213
United States Girls 2024 #808 109 8,487
Spain Girls 0 #843 141 5,561
United States Boys 2024 #848 45 7,044
OM Boys 0 #849 33 17,948
EG Boys 0 #859 28 15,035
PE Boys 0 #869 10 14,506
NL Girls 0 #890 66 5,933
Spain Boys 0 #897 34 5,610
SA Girls 0 #898 38 25,931
BR Girls 0 #905 37 12,708
EG Girls 0 #909 51 14,742
IN Boys 0 #919 83 16,750
Germany Boys 0 #925 28 5,697
NG Boys 0 #932 20 16,906
NL Boys 0 #936 16 5,873
MX Boys 0 #944 39 16,355
CO Boys 0 #974 8 15,656
MY Girls 0 #978 17 24,821
AE Boys 0 #1,029 64 22,615
ZA Girls 0 #1,041 101 25,928
MY Boys 0 #1,047 65 25,439
ZA Boys 0 #1,150 29 25,619
TR 0 #1,197 15 19,440
IT Girls 0 #1,306 141 9,415
SA Boys 0 #1,348 267 28,008
IT Boys 0 #1,429 43 10,046

Kari is popular in 83 countries — most recent births per country:

Norway
Canada
Scotland, United Kingdom
United States
Ireland

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People also ask about Kari

Kari is predominantly a girl's name.
Kari is a 2 syllable name, pronounced Common pronunciations: English /ˈkæri/ or /ˈkɑːri/ (KAR-ee/KAH-ree); Norwegian/Finnish /ˈkɑri/ (KAH-ri).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Keri, Kerri, Kerry, Karie, Carrie and Karin.
Across languages, Kari has these equivalents: Katherine (English), Karin (Scandinavian/German), Carrie (English diminutive), Kári (Old Norse, masculine), Kari (Finnish, masculine).
Yes, very popular — Kari ranked #1 in Ireland in 1989, and appears in official birth registries across 6 countries.
Kari ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 1989).
Kari's popularity is rising. It moved from #113 in 2015 to #108 in 2025 in Norway.
Yes — 5 notable people named Kari are in our database, including Kari Wahlgren (Actor), Kari Wuhrer (Actor|musician), Kari Matchett (Actor).