Cari

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAR-ee /ˈkɑr.i/Medium

Meaning: Cari is usually a girl's name in the U.S., a short form of Carol or Caroline; separately, kari means 'love' in Turkish and appears in other languages. Used here for a boy, we note the lean and the uncertain route.Low

In 30 seconds: A soft two-beat name: Cari is usually a girl's short form of Carol/Caroline (said 'KAR-ee'). Used here for a boy — we note the lean.

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningCari is usually a girl's name in the U.S., a short form of Carol or Caroline; separately, kari means 'love' in Turkish and appears in other languages. Used here for a boy, we note the lean and the uncertain route.

U.S. rank (2024)#12604 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2020

Total births (all-time)≈ 107

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Cari is usually a girl's name in the U.S., a short form of Carol or Caroline; it appears elsewhere with separate senses. Used here for a boy, we note the lean honestly, and the route is uncertain. A soft two-beat name (said 'KAR-ee').

For boys it is very rare against heavier girls' use. Very rare for boys, girl-leaning.

Did you know? Cari is best known as a girl's name, short for Carol or Caroline; it also carries other meanings across languages. Used here for a boy, we note the lean and the uncertain route (said 'KAR-ee').

Overall data confidence 34%

References — Cari — usually a girl's name (Carol/Caroline); cross-sex here; routes uncertain

Variations

KariCarey

Nicknames

CarRi

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

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By themeuncertain short cross-sex uncommon

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cari mean?

Cari is usually a girl's short form of Carol or Caroline; other-language senses exist, so the route is uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Cari?

It's said KAR-ee /ˈkɑr.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cari a boy or girl name?

Here Cari is used as a boy's name, but it is usually a girl's name in the U.S., which we note.

How popular is Cari?

Cari is very rare for boys and more common for girls in the U.S.