The name Keri has its origins in the Greek language and culture. It is a variant spelling of the Greek name Keira, which itself is derived from the ancient Greek word "keir" meaning "to burn with a passion" or "to radiate light and heat." This name was particularly popular in ancient Greece during the classical period, around the 5th century BC.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Keri can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who mentioned a woman named Keri in his work "The Histories." This text, written in the 5th century BC, is considered one of the foundational works of Western literature and history.

In Greek mythology, there was a figure named Keri, who was one of the Hesperides, the nymphs who tended to the garden of golden apples in the west. This mythological reference suggests that the name has been associated with beauty, fertility, and the natural world since ancient times.

One of the earliest known historical figures to bear the name Keri was Keri of Samos, a Greek lyric poet who lived in the 7th century BC. Her work, though only fragments remain, was highly regarded in her time and helped establish the lyric poetic tradition in ancient Greece.

In the 4th century BC, there was a famous Greek courtesan named Keri, who was known for her beauty, wit, and intelligence. She was a companion to many influential men of her time, including the philosopher Aristotle, and was celebrated for her contributions to the intellectual and cultural life of ancient Athens.

During the Byzantine era, there was a notable figure named Keri Tzamplakonia, who lived in the 11th century AD. She was a influential noblewoman and landowner in the Byzantine Empire, and her name is recorded in various historical documents and land deeds from that period.

Throughout history, the name Keri has been used by several other notable individuals, including Keri Hulme, a New Zealand author and novelist who won the Booker Prize in 1985 for her novel "The Bone People"; Keri Russell, an American actress best known for her roles in the TV series "Felicity" and "The Americans"; and Keri Hilson, an American singer-songwriter and actress who rose to prominence in the late 2000s.