Explore the Family Name Kari
The meaning of Kari
1. Finnish: habitational name from farms so named, or an ornamental name from kari ‘shoal, skerry, sandbar’ or ‘rocky place in a field’. Established as a hereditary surname (based on farm names) mainly in Ostrobothnia, northern and southwestern Finland, and Gogland, an island in the Gulf of Finland. Adopted largely as an ornamental name in the name-changing campaigns of the early 20th century (compare Laine 4). 2. German: from a pet form of the personal name Zacharias. 3. Hungarian: from a pet form of the personal name Károly, Hungarian form of Charles. 4. Indian (Maharashtra): Maratha name of unexplained etymology. Some characteristic forenames: Finnish Pentti, Ahti, Armas, Eino, Tauno, Toini, Waino. Indian Prasad, Ramesh, Suresh, Uday.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Kari in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Kari saw a decrease in popularity from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, its rank was at 32,129 but dropped to 41,100 by 2010, representing a decrease of 27.92 percent. The count of individuals with this surname decreased from 677 to 530 during the same period, marking a decline of 21.71 percent. The proportion of people named Kari per 100,000 also experienced a decrease of 28.0 percent.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #32,129 | #41,100 | -27.92% |
| Count | 677 | 530 | -21.71% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.25 | 0.18 | -28% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Kari
The ethnicity data from the Decennial U.S. Census shows notable shifts in the ethnic identity associated with the surname Kari from 2000 to 2010. Individuals identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander showed a significant increase of 84.25 percent. However, there was a decrease of 42.36 percent among those identifying with two or more races. The percentage of White individuals with the Kari surname decreased by 4.7 percent, while Hispanic representation increased slightly by 16.67 percent. There was a marginal decrease among Black individuals by 1.56 percent, and an increase of 27.97 percent among American Indian and Alaskan Natives.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 84.34% | 80.38% | -4.7% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 6.35% | 11.7% | 84.25% |
| Two or More Races | 4.58% | 2.64% | -42.36% |
| Hispanic | 1.62% | 1.89% | 16.67% |
| Black | 1.92% | 1.89% | -1.56% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 1.18% | 1.51% | 27.97% |