Kari

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAR-ee /ˈkær.i/Low

Meaning: Norwegian/Scandinavian short form of Katherine, generally meaning 'pure'; also used as a variant of Carrie.Low

In 30 seconds: Kari is a Scandinavian short form of Katherine, carrying that name's old sense of 'pure'. In some American families it doubles as a variant of Carrie.

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Origin LowScandinavian, English

MeaningNorwegian/Scandinavian short form of Katherine, generally meaning 'pure'; also used as a variant of Carrie.

U.S. rank (2024)#1841 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births109 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1975

Total births (all-time)≈ 59,607

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

In Norway and across Scandinavia, Kari grew up as a clipped, everyday form of Katherine, inheriting its traditional meaning of 'pure'. The same spelling also took root in the United States as a relaxed cousin of Carrie, so the name sits in two slightly different lineages depending on the family. That dual path is part of why it reads as both Nordic and homegrown American.

It is a short, two-syllable name that lands softly, which suits its role as a friendly stand-in for the longer Katherine. Public figures such as Kari Wuhrer and Kari Lake have kept the spelling familiar in American media.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Kari is 'pure', through its link to Katherine, and that clean, classic idea is part of the name's long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 55%

Behind the Name - Kari — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Kari Wuhrer (1967–present)
Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.
★Kari Lake (1969–present)
Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Kari…

Katherine— Kari is a Scandinavian short form of Katherine and shares its 'pure' meaning

Katrina— Another full form built on the same Katherine root that Kari shortens

Kaia— A Scandinavian girl's name with the same compact, two-syllable Nordic sound

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kari mean?

Kari is a Scandinavian short form of Katherine meaning 'pure'; it is also a Norse name, and as an English name it is a variant of Carrie/Kerry. It is most often linked with Scandinavian and English tradition.

How do you pronounce Kari?

It's commonly said KAR-ee /ˈkær.i/.

Is Kari a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Kari is used as a girl name.

How popular is Kari?

In 2024, Kari ranked #1841 in the U.S. for girls, with 109 births recorded.