Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Omari
BoySwahili, Arabic· “Swahili form of Omar; life, flourishing”
- Meaning
- Swahili form of Omar; life, flourishing
- Origin
- Swahili, Arabic
- Pronunciation
- oh-MAHR-ee
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #687
- US babies 2025
- 397
- Best rank
- #472 (2018)
- Peak year
- 2018
Meaning and origin of Omari
Omari is a Swahili and Arabic name that is usually said to mean “Swahili form of Omar; life, flourishing”.
Omari is the Swahili form of Omar, the Arabic name Umar, which is usually linked to a root meaning "life" or "to flourish", so it is often understood as "long-lived" or "thriving". Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second caliph of early Islam, is the name's most influential historical bearer. Through Swahili, spoken widely across East Africa, Omari took on its own distinctive form with a gentle closing vowel. In the United States it has become well established, and it is borne by actors and athletes. Omari sounds warm and rhythmic, with the stress on the middle syllable, and it offers Omar or Mari as short forms.
Popularity over time
Omari first appears in US Social Security records in 1971. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 30 different years, starting in 1980. Its best national rank was #472 in 2018, the same year it reached its highest count of 618 babies. In 2025, 397 babies were named Omari, and it ranked #687 nationally. That is 30% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #942 in 1980, #925 in 2000, #656 in 2010, and #687 in 2025. Of the 13,158 US boys named Omari since records began, 35% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 3,226 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Nixon, Emmitt, Abdiel, Duke, and Jamison.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Omari ranked highest in South Carolina, Georgia, and Connecticut.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | #339 | 16 |
| Georgia | #383 | 31 |
| Connecticut | #477 | 6 |
| North Carolina | #483 | 22 |
| Florida | #486 | 38 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 97% of US babies named Omari over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Omari is usually pronounced oh-MAHR-ee, with three syllables. It has five letters, starts with O and ends in “-ri”.
Middle names for Omari
A few middle names that flow with Omari: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Omari
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Lists that include Omari
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Omari mean?
Omari is a Swahili and Arabic name that is usually said to mean “Swahili form of Omar; life, flourishing”.
What is the origin of the name Omari?
Omari has Swahili and Arabic roots. Omari is the Swahili form of Omar, the Arabic name Umar, which is usually linked to a root meaning "life" or "to flourish", so it is often understood as "long-lived" or "thriving".
Is Omari a popular name?
Yes. Omari ranked #687 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Omari a boy or girl name?
Omari is mainly a boy's name. About 97% of US babies named Omari over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Omari?
Omari is usually pronounced oh-MAHR-ee. 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