Carlton vs Kari

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Carlton

Boy #2,842 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"settlement of free men"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,842
Total SSA Count
45
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Carl, Carl

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Carlton →

Kari

Girl #1,842 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"pure"

Origin: Greek via Norse

Cultural Roots

Norwegian Swedish Finnish American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,842
Total SSA Count
109
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kare

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kari →

Popularity Comparison

Carlton Rank #2,842
Kari Rank #1,842

Kari is more popular, ranked #1842 vs #2842 for Carlton.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Carlton ___

  • Carlton James
  • Carlton Edward
  • Carlton Thomas
  • Carlton William
  • Carlton Alexander
  • Carlton Joseph

Kari ___

  • Kari Ann
  • Kari Lynn
  • Kari Marie
  • Kari Grace
  • Kari Elizabeth
  • Kari Jean

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Carlton

Preston Reginald Clarence Victoria Adelaide

If you choose Kari

Erik Lars Astrid Ingrid Bjorn

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Carlton or Kari more popular?

Kari is more popular, ranked #1842 compared to Carlton at #2842 in the United States.

What do Carlton and Kari mean?

Carlton means "settlement of free men" (Old English origin). Kari means "pure" (Greek via Norse origin).

Are Carlton and Kari boy or girl names?

Carlton is primarily a boy name. Kari is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

Kari vs Carlton Carlton vs Mika Carlton vs Arath Carlton vs Pearson Carlton vs Child
← Full profile: Carlton ← Full profile: Kari Browse all baby names