Declining since 1985, #9,457 for girls today.
Popularity of Cari since 1941
Babies named Cari per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 21 |
| 1950s | 547 |
| 1960s | 2,756 |
| 1970s | 4,432 |
| 1980s | 3,068 |
| 1990s | 1,260 |
| 2000s | 259 |
| 2010s | 252 |
| 2020s | 162 |
Meaning & origin
Cari is a modern, respelled variant of Carrie that saw its peak popularity in 1976, when it ranked higher on the charts. Since 1985, its usage has been falling, and in 2025 it ranked 9,457th with about 1 in 160,727 babies given the name. Its first recorded year in U.S. data is 1941, and it was most common in the 1970s, though no specific top states were reported. The name's appeal lies in its simplicity and its connection to the longer, classic Caroline, offering a fresh but familiar sound.
Cari is a modern diminutive or respelling, primarily derived from Carrie, itself a pet form of Caroline. Caroline originates from the Germanic name Karla, feminine of Karl, meaning 'free man'. The spelling with 'C' instead of 'K' became fashionable in the mid-20th century, and Cari peaked in popularity in the 1970s.
Where Cari is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Cari
Names that share Cari's style, for a brother or sister.
