Kari is either a male or female

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

, or a surname.

Given name

Finland Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of B ...

, Kari is a male name, which was particularly popular in the 1940s and 1950s. The name is derived from the Greek

Makarios Macarius is a Latinized form of the old Greek given name Makários (Μακάριος), meaning "happy, fortunate, blessed"; confer the Latin '' beatus'' and ''felix''. Ancient Greeks applied the epithet ''Makarios'' to the gods. In other languag ...

(or

Macarius Macarius is a Latinized form of the old Greek given name Makários (Μακάριος), meaning "happy, fortunate, blessed"; confer the Latin '' beatus'' and ''felix''. Ancient Greeks applied the epithet ''Makarios'' to the gods. In other languag ...

). In

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and t ...

, Kari is a female name. The name is diminutive of

Katherine Katherine, also spelled Catherine, and Catherina, other variations are feminine Given name, names. They are popular in Christian countries because of their derivation from the name of one of the first Christian saints, Catherine of Alexandria ...

, meaning "pure". The corresponding Swedish and German name is

Karin Karin may refer to: *Karin (given name), a feminine name Fiction * ''Karin'' (manga) or ''Chibi Vampire'', a Japanese media franchise *Karin Hanazono, title character of the manga and anime ''Kamichama Karin'' *Karin Kurosaki, a character in ''Bl ...

. In

Iceland Iceland ( is, Ísland; ) is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean and in the Arctic Ocean. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Iceland's capital and largest city is Reykjavík, which (along with its s ...

and

Faroe Islands The Faroe Islands ( ), or simply the Faroes ( fo, Føroyar ; da, Færøerne ), are a North Atlantic island group and an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. They are located north-northwest of Scotland, and about halfway bet ...

, Kári is a male name, based on a Scandinavian god of wind of the same name. The corresponding Norwegian male name is

Kåre Kåre or Kaare is a given name. Notable people with the name include: People Kåre *Kåre Øistein Hansen (1927–2012), Norwegian politician (SV) * Kåre Øvregard (born 1933), Norwegian politician for the Labour Party *Kåre And The Cavemen, Nor ...

Surname

Kari is a popular surname in

South India South India, also known as Dakshina Bharata or Peninsular India, consists of the peninsular southern part of India. It encompasses the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, as well as the union territo ...

. In

Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...

the village of Karivari Palem is named after the surname; in the village Inkollu, Gangavaram almost 60% families have this surname and belongs to Kamma/Chowdary caste. Kari can also be spelt Kahri. Kari is also a

Finnish Finnish may refer to: * Something or someone from, or related to Finland * Culture of Finland * Finnish people or Finns, the primary ethnic group in Finland * Finnish language, the national language of the Finnish people * Finnish cuisine See also ...

surname, meaning a small island,

islet An islet is a very small, often unnamed island. Most definitions are not precise, but some suggest that an islet has little or no vegetation and cannot support human habitation. It may be made of rock, sand and/or hard coral; may be permanent ...

, or an underwater rock. There are currently 2242 holders of the name (2015).

Notable people named Kari

Females with the given name

Kari Aas Karen Marta Inanda "Kari" Aas (6 October 1886 in Farsund-2 January 1978) was a Norwegian teacher and Scout leader, and served as the Chief Scout of the Norsk Speiderpikeforbund from 1927 to 1935. Background Aas graduated from teacher's college in ...

(1886–1978), Norwegian teacher and Scout leader * Kari Anderson (born 1982), Scottish cricketer *

Kari Bøge Kari Bøge (born 19 August 1950) is a Norwegian poet, novelist, short story writer, children's writer and illustrator. She was born in Stockholm, a daughter of Max Harlow Bøge and Ida Detlefsen. She was first married to Rolf Wibe, and later to Aril ...

(born 1950), Norwegian author *

Kari Bremnes Kari Bremnes (born 9 December 1956) is a Norwegian singer and songwriter. She got an MA in language, literature, history and theatre studies from the University of Oslo, and worked as a journalist for several years before deciding to dedicate h ...

(born 1956), Norwegian singer *

Kari Byron Kari Elizabeth Byron (born December 18, 1974) is an American television host, best known for her role on the ''MythBusters'' and ''White Rabbit Project'' series. Early life Byron was born in the Bay Area, California. She graduated from Los Gat ...

(born 1974), American television host and artist *

Kari Corbett Kari Corbett (born 16 February 1984) is a Scottish actress, artist and filmmaker. Corbett is perhaps best known for portraying Ruby Hepburn in the Channel 4 comedy drama '' Shameless'', Nurse Marian McKaig in ITV's ''The Royal'', Sarah in the ...

(born 1984), Scottish actress *

Kari Diesen Kari Diesen (née Heide-Steen; 24 June 1914 – 18 March 1987) was a Norwegian singer and revue actress. She worked for the revue theatre Chat Noir from 1937 to 1953, and for the Edderkoppen Theatre from 1954 to 1959. She participated in 24 fi ...

(1914–1987), Norwegian singer and actress *

Kari Faux Kari Rose Johnson (born June 11, 1992) better known by her stage name Kari Faux, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer from Little Rock, Arkansas. She is best known for her flamboyant dress, and conversational style of rap. ...

(born 1992), American rapper and singer, born Kari Rose Johnson *

Kari Aalvik Grimsbø Kari Aalvik Grimsbø (born 4 January 1985) is a former Norwegian handball player who last played for Győri ETO KC and the Norwegian national team. Since her retirement she is the goalkeeping coach at Byåsen HE. Career Aalvik Grimsbø played ...

(born 1985), Norwegian handball player *

Kari Jobe Kari Brooke Jobe (born April 6, 1981) is an American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter. Since her first album in 2009, she has received two Grammy Award nominations and ten Dove Award nominations, six of which she won. Biograp ...

(born 1981), American singer *

Kari Kjønaas Kjos Kari Kjønaas Kjos (born 25 January 1962, in Oslo) is a Norwegian politician representing the Progress Party. She is a representative of Akershus in the Storting since 2005 where she since 2013 has chairs the Standing Committee on Health and ...

(born 1962), Norwegian politician *

Kari Mette Johansen Kari Mette Johansen (born 11 January 1979) is a Norwegian team handball player, a two time Olympic champion, once a world champion and four times European champion. She was voted into the ''All star team'' at the 2006 European Women's Handball Cha ...

(born 1979), Norwegian handball player * Kari Ann Lake (born 1969), American politician and former television news anchor *

Kari Matchett Kari Matchett is a Canadian actress. She is known for her roles as Colleen Blessed on ''Power Play (1998 TV series), Power Play'', as Joan Campbell on ''Covert Affairs'' and as Kate Filmore in the science fiction movie ''Cube 2: Hypercube''. Sh ...

(born 1970), Canadian actress *

Kari Nissena Kari Nissena is an American actress, director, and producer. She both produced and starred in the award-winning 2006 film ''Cats on a Plane'' written by comedian Tim Powers. She won the Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Feature awards at the 2 ...

, American actress *

Kari Ann Peniche Kari Ann Peniche Williams ( ) (born March 20, 1984) is an American actress and entertainer from Fairview, Oregon. She has held the Miss Oregon Teen USA and Miss United States Teen titles. She was stripped of the latter title after appearing nude ...

(born 1984), American model *

Kari Rueslåtten Kari Rueslåtten (born 3 October 1973) is a Norwegian soprano singer, songwriter and keyboardist, who was well known for being the former lead singer and songwriter for the now disbanded Norwegian doom metal/experimental band, The 3rd and the Mo ...

(born 1973), Norwegian singer *

Kari Storækre Kari Storækre (born 22 June 1950) is a Norwegian television personality. Biography She grew up in Stavanger as a daughter of Jon and Ulla Storækre. She was married to Arne Treholt from 1977 to 1985, until he was thoroughly scandalized in an espi ...

(born 1950), Norwegian television personality *

Kari Swenson Kari Swenson (born 1961) is a veterinarian in Bozeman, Montana and former Biathlon, biathlete who earned a bronze medal as a member of the 1984 U.S. relay team competing in the first women's Biathlon World Championships 1984, Biathlon World Champ ...

(born 1962), American biathlete *

Kari Sylwan Kari Sylwan (born 15 October 1940) is a Swedish actress, dancer, ballet teacher, and choreographer. Career Sylwan started as a dancer in 1956 at the Royal Swedish Ballet and at the Cullberg Ballet. At both companies she danced leading parts, for e ...

(born 1940), Swedish actress, ballerina and choreographer *

Kari Tauring Kari Christine Tauring (born July 4, 1966) is an American folk musician, author, and teacher. She sings and writes Nordic folk music of her familial Norwegian heritage. Her career began in the early 1990s in Rose Absolute, a duo with vocalist Gin ...

(born 1966), American folk singer, author, and teacher *

Kari Traa Kari Traa (born 28 January 1974) is a Norwegian former Olympic freestyle skier. She won the Olympic title in the moguls event at the 2002 Winter Olympics, finished second at the 2006 games, and finished third at the 1998 games. Accomplishments ...

(born 1974), Norwegian skier *

Kari Wahlgren Kari Wahlgren (born July 13, 1977) is an American actress who has provided English-language voices for animated movies, TV series, and video games. She got her start in anime voice-overs as Haruko Haruhara in '' FLCL'', and would later land ma ...

(born 1977), American voice actress *

Kari Wuhrer Kari Samantha Wuhrer (born April 28, 1967) is an American actress, model, and singer. Wuhrer began her career as a teenager, and is best known for her time as a cast member on MTV's ''Remote Control'', as well as her roles as Maggie Beckett in t ...

(born 1967), American actress

Males with the given name

* Kari Arkivuo, Finnish footballer *

Kari Aronpuro Kari Aronpuro (born 30 June 1940) is a Finnish poet."A History of Finland's Literature", 1998, p.251/ref> He worked in the library industry for over 40 years. He worked as a librarian at the University of Tampere course library from 1964 to 1971 ...

, Finnish poet *

Kari Eloranta Kari Pekka Eloranta (born February 29, 1956) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player who played over 20 years in numerous leagues throughout Europe and North America. Among top-level leagues, he played with Reipas Lahti in the Finnish ...

, Finnish footballer and ice hockey player *

Kari Enqvist Kari-Pekka Enqvist (born February 16, 1954 in Lahti, Finland) is a professor of cosmology in the Department of Physical Sciences at the University of Helsinki. Enqvist was awarded his PhD in theoretical physics in 1983. Enqvist is the chairman o ...

, Finnish physicist and writer *

Kari Hotakainen Kari Hotakainen (born 9 January 1957 in Pori, Finland) is a Finnish writer. Hotakainen started his writing career as a reporter in Pori. In 1986, he moved to Helsinki. He became a full-time writer in 1996. He has two children with his wife, soun ...

, Finnish writer * Kári P. Højgaard, Faroese politician *

Kari Häkämies Kari Häkämies (born 1956) is a Finnish lawyer and politician being a member of the National Coalition Party. He served as the justice minister and interior minister and was elected to the Finnish Parliament. He is also the author of several pol ...

, Finnish politician *

Kari Härkönen Kari Härkönen (born 16 July 1959) is a Finnish former cross-country skier who competed during the early 1980s. He won two medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships with a gold in the 15 km in 1985 and a bronze in the 4 × 10 km ...

, Finnish skier *

Kari Jalonen Kari Jalonen (born January 6, 1960) is a Finnish professional ice hockey coach and former player. Currently he is the head coach of Czech national team. He is not related to Finnish ice hockey coach Jukka Jalonen. Playing career A pro ...

, Finnish ice hockey coach *

Kari Kairamo Kari Antero Oswald Kairamo, titled '' Vuorineuvos'' (31 December 1932, in Helsinki in Finland – 11 December 1988, in Espoo, Finland), was a Chairman and CEO of Nokia Corporation and a significant and popular person in the industry, who was als ...

, former CEO of Nokia *

Kari Ketonen Kari Mikael Ketonen (born 16 August 1971) is a Finnish actor. Born in Espoo, he portrayed the president of Russia Vladimir Putin in the sketch comedy television show ''Putous'' in 2014. He also played Putin in the film '' Iron Sky: The Coming Race' ...

, Finnish actor *

Kari Korhonen Kari Korhonen (born 1973) is a Finnish cartoonist known for his stories about Donald Duck. Korhonen has been drawing Disney comics for the Danish publisher Egmont Group since 1993, where he is most known for his work on Donald Duck stories ...

, Finnish cartoonist *

, Finnish mycologist *

Kari Kriikku Kari Kriikku (born 1960) is a Finland, Finnish European classical music, classical clarinetist. He studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, and later with Alan Hacker in England and with Leon Russianoff and Charles Neidich in the United Stat ...

, Finnish clarinet player *

Kari Kuivalainen Kari Kuivalainen (born 1960) is a Finnish singer-songwriter, best known for his participation in the 1986 Eurovision Song Contest. Kuivalainen was primarily a composer rather than a singer, and in 1985 he submitted his song "Haaveissa vainko oo ...

, Finnish musician * Kari Lehtola, Finnish major accident investigator *

Kari Lehtonen Kari Lehtonen (born November 16, 1983) is a Finland, Finnish former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Atlanta Thrashers and Dallas Stars. He was selected second overall in the 200 ...

, Finnish NHL Goaltender for the Dallas Stars * Kari Makkonen, Finnish ice hockey player *

Kari Mannerla Kari Mannerla (January 9, 1930, Helsinki, Finland – July 12, 2006, Helsinki, Finland) was a Finnish board and card game designer and advertising agency executive. The most famous game designed by Mannerla is the board game '' Afrikan tähti'' ( ...

, Finnish game designer *

Kari Mäkinen Kari Mäkinen (born 5 January 1955) is the former archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. He was elected the 14th Archbishop of Turku and Finland on 11 March 2010, he was installed on 6 June 2010, and he retired on 1 June 2018. ...

, Archbishop of Turku *

Kari Peitsamo Kari Juhani Valdemar Peitsamo (born 26 August 1957) is a Finnish musician whose style has changed over the years from acoustic avant-garde pop to electric rock. His best-known song is probably "Kauppaopiston naiset" (Business College Women) from ...

, Finnish musician *

Kari Rajamäki Kari Juhani Rajamäki (born 15 October 1948, in Anjala) is a Finnish politician from the Social Democratic Party and a former Minister of the Interior. Rajamäki has been MP since 1983 and represents Southern Savonia. Before he became a minister ...

, Finnish politician *

Kari Ristanen Kari Ristanen (born 27 July 1958) was a Finnish cross-country skier who competed during the 1980s. He won a bronze medal in the 4 × 10 km relay at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. Ristanen also won a silver in the 4 × 10 km rela ...

, Finnish skier *

Kári Stefánsson Kári Stefánsson (or Kari Stefansson; born 6 April 1949) is an Icelandic neurologist and founder and CEO of Reykjavik-based biopharmaceutical company deCODE genetics. In Iceland he has pioneered the use of population-scale genetics to underst ...

, Icelandic founder of deCODE genetics *

Kari Suomalainen Kari Yrjänä Suomalainen (15 October 1920, in Helsinki – 10 August 1999, in Valkeakoski) was Finland's most famous political cartoonist, known as Kari. His cartoons appeared daily in ''Helsingin Sanomat'' from 1951 to 1991 and they became po ...

, Finnish cartoonist *

Kari Takko Kari Maurits Takko (born 23 June 1962) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League between 1986 and 1991, and in the Finnish SM-liiga between 1979 and 1985, and again from 1991 to 1997. Internati ...

, Finnish ice hockey goalkeeper *

Kari Tapio Kari Tapani Jalkanen (22 November 1945 – 7 December 2010), better known by his stage name Kari Tapio, was a Finnish schlager and country & western singer. During his career, he was one of the most popular singers in Finland for decades; having ...

, Finnish singer *

Kari Tiainen Kari Tiainen (born 26 August 1966 in Riihimäki) is a Finnish former professional enduro rider. He competed in the World Enduro Championships from 1989 to 2003. Tiainen is notable for being a seven-time World Enduro Champion and held the record for ...

, Finnish motorcycle rider *

Kari S. Tikka Kari Sulo Tikka (21 August 1944 in Lahti – 25 May 2006 in Helsinki) was a Finnish legal scholar. He was a Professor of Finance Law at the University of Helsinki and one of Finland's leading experts on taxation. Career Kari S. Tikka had a long ca ...

, Finnish legal scholar *

Kari Turunen Kari Antero Turunen (; born 5 September 1962), is a Finnish artistic director, choral conductor, ensemble tenor, and music scholar and lecturer. Life and career Early life Turunen was born in September 1962 in Joensuu in Eastern Finland. He ...

, Finnish musician *

Kari Ukkonen Kari Ukkonen (born 19 February 1961) is a Finland, Finnish former football (soccer), football player and current football manager. As player, Ukkonen was fielded as defender (football), defender as well as midfielder (soccer), midfielder. Ukkone ...

, Finnish footballer *

Kari Uotila Kari Antero Uotila (born 4 January 1955 in Pertunmaa) is a Finnish politician and member of Finnish Parliament The Parliament of Finland ( ; ) is the unicameral and supreme legislature of Finland, founded on 9 May 1906. In accordance with ...

, Finnish politician *

Kari Väänänen Kari Kyösti Väänänen (born 17 September 1953 in Ivalo) is a Finnish actor and director. Domestically he is a member of the Ryhmäteatteri group of actors. He was introduced to international audiences by Aki Kaurismäki, and belongs to the lis ...

, Finnish actor and director * Kari Ylianttila, Finnish ski-jumper

People with the surname

Dagur Kári Dagur Kári (born Dagur Kári Pétursson; 12 December 1973) is an Icelandic film director. Early life and education He was born in Paris, France, to Icelandic parents. The family returned to Iceland when he was 3 years old. After attending loca ...

, Icelandic filmmaker *

Jarkko Kari Jarkko J. Kari is a Finland, Finnish mathematician and computer scientist, known for his contributions to the theory of Wang tiles and cellular automata. Kari is currently a professor at the Department of Mathematics, University of Turku. Biogr ...

, Finnish mathematician * Mika Kari (born 1967), Finnish politician *

Sax Kari Sax Kari (February 6, 1920 – October 1, 2009), born Isaac Columbus Toombs Jr., sometimes known as Isaac Saxton Kari Toombs or simply Saxton Kari, was an American multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, songwriter, record producer, A&R man and promot ...

, born Isaac Toombs, American R&B musician and promoter *

Tamla Kari Tamla Kari Cummins (born 27 July 1988), known as Tamla Kari, is an English actress. She is best known for her role as Constance Bonacieux in the BBC television series ''The Musketeers'', and Lucy in ''The Inbetweeners Movie'' and ''The Inbetwe ...

, British actress * Tommi Kari, Finnish footballer

People with the nickname

* Sundaram Karivardhan, Indian motor sports promoter

Fictional and mythological characters

* Kári, son of Fornjót, the personification of wind in Norse mythology * Kari Grandi, Finnish advertising character * Hikari "Kari" Kamiya, a character in ''Digimon'' media * Kari Nordmann, Norwegian placeholder name * Kari Sorjonen, main character in Bordertown, a Finnish crime drama TV series

References

{{given name, type=both Finnish-language surnames Finnish masculine given names Norwegian feminine given names