Cari Girl

Popularity: #938 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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.

CoraCaraClaraLilaMayaNina

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.

KaraTaraSaraLaraMiraZaraNoraDara

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Cari was first seen in the United States in 1941.

Cari has ranked as high as #701 nationally, which occurred in 1976, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio.

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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 16 6 10
2024 26 5 21
2023 35 8 27
2022 47 9 38
2021 36 0 36
2020 41 11 30
2019 31 9 22
2018 32 5 27
2017 32 5 27
2016 21 0 21
2015 26 0 26
2014 21 0 21
2013 30 0 30
2012 27 0 27
2011 30 0 30
2010 21 0 21
2009 12 0 12
2008 25 0 25
2007 21 0 21
2006 17 0 17
2005 22 0 22
2004 24 0 24
2003 34 0 34
2002 21 0 21
2001 37 0 37
2000 46 0 46
1999 56 0 56
1998 61 0 61
1997 69 0 69
1996 99 0 99
1995 104 0 104
1994 171 0 171
1993 169 0 169
1992 154 0 154
1991 182 0 182
1990 195 0 195
1989 245 6 239
1988 280 0 280
1987 273 0 273
1986 258 0 258
1985 274 0 274
1984 278 0 278
1983 297 0 297
1982 401 5 396
1981 485 5 480
1980 293 0 293
1979 355 7 348
1978 421 0 421
1977 471 5 466
1976 541 0 541
1975 519 0 519
1974 477 0 477
1973 407 0 407
1972 394 7 387
1971 436 0 436
1970 430 0 430
1969 420 0 420
1968 410 5 405
1967 331 5 326
1966 256 0 256
1965 226 0 226
1964 261 0 261
1963 247 5 242
1962 235 0 235
1961 196 0 196
1960 189 0 189
1959 159 0 159
1958 106 0 106
1957 100 5 95
1956 67 0 67
1955 36 0 36
1954 27 0 27
1953 21 0 21
1952 17 0 17
1951 14 0 14
1950 5 0 5
1949 11 0 11
1948 5 0 5
1941 5 0 5

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 8
62%
GA 5
38%