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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Kari — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Karev|Karia
Celtic◈ Unisex · 54% boy · 46% girl↓ Declining

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Kari

◈

KAR-ee · 2 syllables

Share Kari:
Compare with another name
Girl
#1841
↓ Declining
Girl
#1841
Popularity score: 24
↓ Declining
Peak
#1480 in 2020
5yr
-74 ranks
Velocity
-74
Birth frequency
3.0 per 100,000 births
Boy
#2846
Popularity score: 20
↑↑ Surging
Peak
#2846 in 2024
5yr
+183 ranks
Velocity
+183
Birth frequency
1.3 per 100,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

BOY
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #2846 · Rising since 2020

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Celtic boy names
Kari

Popularity score: 20  ·  SSA Rank: #2846

GIRL
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #1841 · Falling since 2020

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
Celtic girl names
Kari

Popularity score: 24  ·  SSA Rank: #1841

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
12
Higher than 12% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↓ Declining
-74 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
70
6 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class

Kari scores lower overall — the popularity trend is fading.

Meaning Depth37% of score
60
Name Trend28% of score
18
Uniqueness20% of score
70
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
CelticIrishUnisexNature2-syllableVintageFriendlyEarthyScandinavian appeal
Character
compassionate heartindependent spiritcreative energyloyal friendpeaceful strength
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Karis

versatileanalyticalcharismaticentertainingpopular
STRONG
High confidence

Kari is a Celtic unisex name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #1841 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↓ Declining · -74 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#2846 · very rare
Kari at a Glance
Meaning:Friend or beloved one. Derived from the Old Irish element 'cara' meaning friend, with diminutive suffix.
Language root:Old Irish · Gaelic
Peak rank:#1480 in 2020
5yr change:-74 ranks
Sex usage:Girl #1841 · Boy #2846
Notable bearers
Kari Tapio
Finnish singer and actor
Kari Hotakainen
Finnish novelist
Kari Russell
American actress
Kari Byron
American television host and model
Similar Sound
Carey◈CarrieKerry◈Kari◈KareyCary◈
Similar Style
Rowan◈FionaSoren◈LeifTierneyDarcy◈
Works well with
Wren◈IvyRowan◈Beckett◈PhoebeStellan◈LeviHazel
You Might Also Like
Fiona
Celtic · #406
→ Stable
Tierney
Irish · #6589
↓ Fading
Darcy◈
Irish · #983
↑ Rising
Ava
Celtic · #9
→ Stable
Aria
Celtic · #26
→ Stable
Ella
Celtic · #30
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Kari illustration
Name Intelligence
Kari · Overview
Summary

Kari is a Celtic unisex name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #1841 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 3/100 → Stable

Strengths
Works for any sex
54% boy · 46% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Nature character
Kari carries a grounded, cool, warm quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Popularity declining
Rank has dropped 74 positions in the last year. Consider whether this trajectory matters for your decision.
Domain taken
kari.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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