Kari

Meaning of Kari

It can mean "pure" or be a pet form of Katherine.

Kari has Scandinavian roots — browse every Scandinavian baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Kari

After ranking as high as #782 in 2000, Kari has fallen out of the US top 1,000 as of 2025.

Notable people named Kari

• Kari Byron
  American television host and artist
• Kari Wuhrer
  American actress and singer
• Kari Matchett
  Canadian actress
• Kari Lehtonen
  Finnish ice hockey player
• Kari Jobe
  American contemporary Christian musician

More Scandinavian names

Questions about the name Kari

What does the name Kari mean?

Kari means it can mean "pure" or be a pet form of katherine, and it comes from Scandinavian origins.

Is Kari a boy's or a girl's name?

Kari is most commonly used as a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Kari?

Kari did not appear in the top 1,000 baby names in 2025, which makes it a genuinely uncommon pick.

When was Kari most popular?

Kari peaked at #782 in 2000.