Kare first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Kare has been for the last 46 years (from 1976 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Kare

A feminine Japanese name meaning "shining light" or "beaming".

Popularity of Kare by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Kare is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kare.

Year Male Count Female Count
2021 0 5
1997 0 5
1987 0 5
1976 0 7

The history of the first name Kare

The name Kare originated in the Scandinavian region and has roots in Old Norse. It is derived from the Old Norse word "karr," meaning "man" or "warrior." This name was popular among the Vikings and is believed to have been in use as early as the 8th century AD.

In ancient Norse mythology, Kare was also the name of a minor deity associated with fertility and agriculture. This suggests that the name may have been initially used as a way to honor this deity and seek blessings for bountiful harvests and prosperity.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Kare can be found in the Icelandic sagas, which are a collection of literary works that document the lives and adventures of Scandinavian settlers in Iceland during the 9th to 11th centuries.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Kare. One such person was Kare Kolbjørnsson (c. 1245 - c. 1310), a Norwegian chieftain and landowner who played a significant role in the political affairs of the region during the late 13th and early 14th centuries.

Another prominent figure was Kare Andersen (1534 - 1607), a Danish nobleman and military commander who served under King Christian IV of Denmark. He was instrumental in the defense of Denmark during the Kalmar War against Sweden in the late 16th century.

In the field of literature, Kare Holt (1915 - 1997) was a celebrated Norwegian author and playwright. He is best known for his novels that explored themes of identity, love, and the human condition.

Kare Richter (1940 - 2021) was a Danish architect and industrial designer who gained international recognition for his innovative and functional designs. He is particularly renowned for his work on the iconic Lego brick design.

Lastly, Kare Jacobsen (1935 - 2015) was a renowned Norwegian jazz musician and composer. He was a highly influential figure in the Norwegian jazz scene and is considered one of the country's most important jazz artists.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have carried the name Kare. The name's origins in Old Norse and its connection to ancient mythology have contributed to its enduring presence across Scandinavian cultures and beyond.

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 Kare was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Kare first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 16, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/kare-meaning-and-history/.

"Kare first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/kare-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 16 July, 2025

Kare first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/kare-meaning-and-history/.

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