girls' name · peaked 1976

Cari

Every Cari since 1941 — 12,870 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.10.20.30.418801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#9,580
among girls
Babies in 2025
16
named Cari
Peak year
1976
541 babies
All-time total
12,870
since 1941

The story of Cari

Cari is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #9,580 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1941, 12,870 American babies have been named Cari. Its peak came in 1976, when 541 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Cari stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Cari year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 10 #9,580 6 #10,901
2024 21 #5,835 5 #12,653
2023 27 #4,895 8 #9,055
2022 38 #3,904 9 #8,429
2021 36 #4,037
2020 30 #4,468 11 #7,116
2019 22 #5,648 9 #8,322
2018 27 #4,909 5 #12,483
2017 27 #4,950 5 #12,599
2016 21 #6,025
2015 26 #5,156
2014 21 #6,028
2013 30 #4,678
2012 27 #5,135
2011 30 #4,707
2010 21 #6,222
2009 12 #9,505
2008 25 #5,602
2007 21 #6,367
2006 17 #7,213
2005 22 #5,631
2004 24 #5,242
2003 34 #3,959
2002 21 #5,487
2001 37 #3,561
2000 46 #3,034
1995 104 #1,509
1990 195 #962
1985 274 #661
1980 293 #622
1975 519 #393
1970 430 #473
1965 226 #653
1960 189 #740
1955 36 #1,739
1950 5 #5,392
1945
1940
1935
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Cari in 2025?

Cari ranked #9,580 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Cari?

12,870 babies have been named Cari in the United States since 1941, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Cari most popular?

Cari peaked in 1976, when 541 newborns received the name.

Is Cari a boy or girl name?

Cari is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Cari rising or falling?

Cari is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Cari

Compare Cari with similar names →