Find out how popular the first name Jari has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jari by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jari is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 64% of people named Jari being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 10 male babies and 10 female babies born with the name Jari.

The history of the first name Jari

The name Jari is believed to have originated from the Finnish language, with its roots tracing back to the Proto-Finnic era, which dates back to around 1500 BC to 1 BC. The name is derived from the Finnish word "jari," which means "shore" or "beach," suggesting a connection to coastal or lakeside settlements of ancient Finnish communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jari can be found in the Finnish epic poem "Kalevala," which is a compilation of folk tales and mythology from the region. The poem, which dates back to the 19th century, contains various characters with Finnish names, including Jari.

Throughout history, the name Jari has been borne by several notable individuals, including Jari Litmanen, a Finnish former professional football player who was born in 1971. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Finnish footballers of all time and played for various top clubs, including Ajax Amsterdam and Liverpool.

Another famous bearer of the name is Jari Kurri, a Finnish former professional ice hockey player who was born in 1960. Kurri played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Edmonton Oilers and was a part of their dynasty in the 1980s, winning five Stanley Cup championships.

In the realm of music, Jari Mäenpää is a Finnish singer and songwriter who was born in 1952. He is known for his contributions to the Finnish rock and pop music scene and has released numerous successful albums throughout his career.

Jari Tervo, born in 1959, is a renowned Finnish author and playwright. He has received several prestigious literary awards, including the Finlandia Prize, which is one of the highest honors for Finnish literature.

Jari Haapalainen, born in 1940, is a Finnish former cross-country skier who competed in the 1968 and 1972 Winter Olympics. He won a bronze medal in the 4x10 km relay event at the 1972 Sapporo Olympics.

While the name Jari has its origins in Finland, it has gained popularity in other parts of the world, particularly in countries with Finnish communities or cultural influences. However, its usage and prevalence remain most prominent within Finnish culture and language.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Jari was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Jari, please contact us.

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