Kari is a name of Finnish origin, derived from the word "kare" which means "rocky". It is traditionally given to boys in Finland, but it has also been used as a girls' name in some cases.
The name Kari has a long history in Finland. It was first used as a personal name in the late 19th century and became more popular in the early 20th century. Today, Kari is considered one of the classic Finnish male names and is still commonly used today.
Kari is also known for being the name of the protagonist in the popular Finnish novel "The Summer Book" by Tove Jansson. The character Kari is a young boy who experiences many adventures with his grandmother during one summer on an island in the Gulf of Finland. This book has contributed to the popularity of the name Kari in Finland and beyond.
In terms of its meaning, Kari represents strength, stability, and resilience, much like the rocky terrain from which it is derived. It is also associated with Finnish culture and heritage. Overall, Kari is a name with deep roots in Finnish history and a unique character all its own.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe a significant trend regarding the number of births given the name "Kari" in the United States over several decades.
From 1934 to around 1967, there was a gradual increase in the annual number of births with the name Kari. Starting from only six births in 1934, this figure more than doubled by 1967, reaching 1303 births that year.
However, starting from the late 1960s to around the mid-1970s, there was an even steeper rise in the popularity of the name Kari. Between 1968 and 1975, the number of annual births with this name nearly quadrupled, going from 1512 births in 1968 to a peak of 2221 births in 1975.
After the mid-1970s, there was a decline in the popularity of the name Kari. Between 1975 and around 2002, the number of annual births with this name dropped significantly from its peak, falling from 2221 births in 1975 to just 227 births in 2002.
From around 2002 onwards, there was a more gradual decrease in the popularity of the name Kari. Between 2002 and 2023, the number of annual births with this name fluctuated but remained relatively low compared to previous decades. The lowest point recorded in recent years was in 2011, with only 89 births.
In conclusion, while the name Kari was quite popular among parents in the United States from around the mid-1960s until the late 1970s, its popularity has since declined significantly. As of 2023, the name Kari is given to fewer than two hundred babies each year in the United States.