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Home › Baby Names Directory › Cari

Cari

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAIR-ee /ˈkɛr.i/High

Meaning: A pet form of Cara ('beloved', Latin/Italian), Caroline ('free'), or Carys ('beloved', Welsh); routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Beloved: Cari pets Cara/Carys — 'beloved'. Sweet, soft, and warm (said 'KAIR-ee').
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Origin LowLatin, Welsh
MeaningA pet form of Cara ('beloved', Latin/Italian), Caroline ('free'), or Carys ('beloved', Welsh); routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#9580 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births10 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1976
Total births (all-time)≈ 12,757

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197619412025

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 a pet form of Cara — from Latin/Italian cara, 'dear, beloved' — and of Caroline, 'free', or Carys, 'beloved' (Welsh; routes layered, which we note). A sweet, soft, modern name (said 'KAIR-ee'; also spelled Carrie, Kari).

It registers thinly in records. Rare, beloved at the root, and sweet.

Did you know? Cara means 'beloved' (Latin/Italian cara, 'dear') and Carys 'beloved' (Welsh) — Cari is a sweet pet form (also short for Caroline, 'free') — soft and warm (said 'KAIR-ee'; the routes are layered, which we note).
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Cari — routes layered

Variations

CaraCarrieKari

Nicknames

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If you like Cari…

Cara— a name it pets
Carrie— a fellow spelling
Kari— a companion spelling
Carys— a kin 'beloved' Welsh girls' name

Explore names like Cari

By themeuncertainlatinnickname-namewelsh
By meaningLoveFreedom

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cari mean?

Cari pets Cara ('beloved', Latin), Caroline ('free'), or Carys ('beloved', Welsh); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Cari?

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

Is Cari a boy or girl name?

Cari is a girl's name.

How popular is Cari?

Cari is a rare name in the U.S.

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