Cari: name meaning, origin & popularity
- Meaning
- “uncertain; often a form of Cara or Kari”
- Origin
- Unknown
- Say it
- KAIR-ee · 2 syllables
- Used for
- Girls
Cari is used as a variant of Cara, Kari, or Kerri in English-speaking contexts, so its exact origin depends on the source name. It may relate to Latin cara 'dear' or Scandinavian Kari forms. The origin of this name is not settled among etymologists.
How popular is Cari?
Babies named Cari in 202426
Peak year1976
Total US babies since 188012,854
Cari is rising: use over the last five years is 1.6× what it was a decade earlier.
Names like Cari
Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.
- Karauncertain; possibly beloved or black · Unknown
- Carabeloved · Italian
- Avauncertain; possibly bird or life · Unknown
- Mayauncertain; often illusion or water · Unknown
- Ailanyuncertain · Unknown
- Alanauncertain; often linked to little rock or handsome · Unknown
- Leiauncertain; often used as a form of Leah · Unknown
- Londonfrom London, place name · Unknown
Cari questions
What does the name Cari mean?
Cari means "uncertain; often a form of Cara or Kari". It comes from Unknown. Cari is used as a variant of Cara, Kari, or Kerri in English-speaking contexts, so its exact origin depends on the source name. It may relate to Latin cara 'dear' or Scandinavian Kari forms.
Is Cari a boy or girl name?
Cari is mainly a girl's name in US records (99% of uses since 1880).
How popular is Cari?
26 US babies were named Cari in 2024. Its peak year was 1976.
How do you pronounce Cari?
Cari is usually pronounced KAIR-ee.
Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.