Cari Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAR-ee //ˈkɑːri//
Origin: Latin; Welsh
Meaning: Latin: beloved; Welsh: love
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Cari is believed to have roots in the Latin name "Carus," which means "dear" or "beloved." This Latin term evolved into various forms in different languages, including the Old French "Carie" and the Italian "Cara," both of which carry similar meanings. The transition of the name into English likely occurred during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Latin and French names began to influence the English language and naming conventions.
Throughout history, the name Cari has been associated with various notable figures and cultural references. While not as prominent as some other names, it has appeared in literature and art, reflecting the qualities of affection and endearment inherent in its meaning.
The name has also been linked to the Hebrew name "Kari," which means "to call" or "to summon," further enriching its linguistic heritage. The use of Cari in English-speaking contexts can be traced back to the 20th century, where it emerged as a variant of the more common name "Carrie," itself a diminutive of "Caroline" or "Carol." Culturally, the name Cari resonates with themes of love and friendship, making it a fitting choice for many families.
Its gentle sound and affectionate meaning have contributed to its appeal across various cultures. The name's simplicity and warmth have allowed it to endure through the centuries, often evoking a sense of familiarity and comfort.
While Cari may not have the historical weight of some more traditional names, its roots and associations with love and endearment ensure that it remains a cherished choice in many contexts.
Famous people named Cari
In this section, you will find notable people named Cari. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Cari who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Cari who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Cari Champion is a sports commentator best known for her work on ESPN's First Take and SportsCenter.
Cari Delevigne is a model and actress best known for her roles in Paper Towns, Suicide Squad, and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cari, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Cari. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Cari was first seen in the United States in 1941.
Cari has ranked as high as #620 nationally, which occurred in 1976, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan.
In the past 5 years the name Cari has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Cari is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Cari was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Cari (2022)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 8 | |
| GA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Cari.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2022 | 38 |
| 2021 | 36 |
| 2020 | 30 |
| 2019 | 22 |
| 2018 | 27 |
| 2017 | 27 |
| 2016 | 21 |
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2014 | 21 |
| 2013 | 30 |
| 2012 | 27 |
| 2011 | 30 |
| 2010 | 21 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2008 | 25 |
| 2007 | 21 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2005 | 22 |
| 2004 | 24 |
| 2003 | 34 |
| 2002 | 21 |
| 2001 | 37 |
| 2000 | 46 |
| 1999 | 56 |
| 1998 | 61 |
| 1997 | 69 |
| 1996 | 99 |
| 1995 | 104 |
| 1994 | 171 |
| 1993 | 169 |
| 1992 | 154 |
| 1991 | 182 |
| 1990 | 195 |
| 1989 | 239 |
| 1988 | 280 |
| 1987 | 273 |
| 1986 | 258 |
| 1985 | 274 |
| 1984 | 278 |
| 1983 | 297 |
| 1982 | 396 |
| 1981 | 480 |
| 1980 | 293 |
| 1979 | 348 |
| 1978 | 421 |
| 1977 | 466 |
| 1976 | 541 |
| 1975 | 519 |
| 1974 | 477 |
| 1973 | 407 |
| 1972 | 387 |
| 1971 | 436 |
| 1970 | 430 |
| 1969 | 420 |
| 1968 | 405 |
| 1967 | 326 |
| 1966 | 256 |
| 1965 | 226 |
| 1964 | 261 |
| 1963 | 242 |
| 1962 | 235 |
| 1961 | 196 |
| 1960 | 189 |
| 1959 | 159 |
| 1958 | 106 |
| 1957 | 95 |
| 1956 | 67 |
| 1955 | 36 |
| 1954 | 27 |
| 1953 | 21 |
| 1952 | 17 |
| 1951 | 14 |
| 1950 | 5 |
| 1949 | 11 |
| 1948 | 5 |
| 1941 | 5 |