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.
The name Kari experienced a significant surge in popularity from the 1950s onwards, with a notable increase starting around 1956. Between 1956 and 1975, the number of annual births with the name Kari grew exponentially, reaching a peak of 2221 births in 1975. However, from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, there was a gradual decline, although the number remained relatively high. After the mid-1980s, the popularity of the name Kari continued to decrease, with fewer than 200 births per year occurring consistently since 1996. In recent years, the total number of births named Kari has fluctuated between 110 and 145 annually, with a current total of 59497 births recorded from 1934 to 2023.