Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Amari
UnisexAmerican (modern coinage)
- Meaning
- uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- uh-MAH-ree
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #185
- US babies 2025
- 2,000
- Best rank
- #151 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Amari
Amari is usually linked to American (modern coinage) roots, but its original meaning is uncertain.
Amari has become a popular gender-neutral name in the United States, especially in African American communities, but its origin is not clearly established. It is often said to come from an African language and to mean "strength" or "builder," but those claims are hard to trace to a reliable source. It may also have grown from similar names such as Amir, Omari and Amara. What is clear is its sound: soft vowels, a light rhythm and an international feel. Amari works for boys and girls alike and pairs well with both short and long middle names. Mari and Ama are possible nicknames.
Popularity over time
Amari first appears in US Social Security records in 1974. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 29 different years, starting in 1997. Its best national rank was #151 in 2023, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,422 babies. In 2025, 2,000 babies were named Amari, and it ranked #185 nationally. That is 46% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #5,551 in 1980, #682 in 2000, #318 in 2010, and #185 in 2025. Of the 31,994 US boys named Amari since records began, 39% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 12,047 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Sage, Milan, Lennox, Shiloh, and Ari.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Amari ranked highest in Delaware, District of Columbia, and Maryland.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | #39 | 19 |
| District of Columbia | #60 | 13 |
| Maryland | #97 | 58 |
| Mississippi | #97 | 29 |
| Georgia | #117 | 98 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Amari is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 36% of US babies named Amari were girls and 64% were boys.
Amari is usually pronounced uh-MAH-ree, with three syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-ri”.
Middle names for Amari
A few middle names that flow with Amari: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Amari
Similar names
Kamari Unisex
kuh-MAHR-ee
“modern name of uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#391
Zaria Girl
ZAR-ee-uh
“uncertain; also a city in Nigeria”
#945
Emeri Girl
EH-mur-ee
“variant of Emery; work and power” · American (modern coinage)
#1,461
Omari Boy
oh-MAHR-ee
“Swahili form of Omar; life, flourishing” · Swahili
#687
Amiri Unisex
uh-MEER-ee
“princely, commander” · Arabic
#604
Akari Unisex
ah-KAH-ree
“light, brightness” · Japanese
#542
Makayla Girl
muh-KAY-luh
“modern form of Michaela; who is like God?” · American (modern coinage)
#568
Ryker Boy
RY-kur
American (modern coinage)
#183
Adalynn Girl
AD-uh-lin
“noble (variant of Adeline)” · American (modern coinage)
#184
Adalyn Girl
AD-uh-lin
“noble (variant of Adeline)” · American (modern coinage)
#260
Alivia Girl
uh-LIV-ee-uh
“variant of Olivia” · American (modern coinage)
#484
Elliana Girl
el-ee-AH-nuh
“my God has answered” · Hebrew
#139
Lists that include Amari
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Amari mean?
Amari is usually linked to American (modern coinage) roots, but its original meaning is uncertain.
What is the origin of the name Amari?
Amari has modern American roots. Amari has become a popular gender-neutral name in the United States, especially in African American communities, but its origin is not clearly established.
Is Amari a popular name?
Yes. Amari ranked #185 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Amari a boy or girl name?
Amari is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 36% of US babies named Amari were girls and 64% were boys.
How do you pronounce Amari?
Amari is usually pronounced uh-MAH-ree. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings