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Gari

Boy name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Gari: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 3 births in 1991.

Gari is most often a variant of Gary, derived from the Old English element *gār*, meaning “spear,” or from the Norman name Gerard, where the first element also relates to the spear. This gives the name a strong, warrior-like feel, though it also appears as a Finnish short form of names such as Kaarle. Probably the most famous bearer is the American painter Gari Melchers (1860–1932), known for his naturalistic portraits and murals. In Scotland, Gari has always been a very rare choice, sometimes used as a diminutive of Gareth or Gary rather than a standalone given name. No major places share the exact spelling, though the river Gary in the Highlands offers a phonetic link. A notable variant is Garry, which was more common in Scotland during the mid‑20th century.