Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Zuri
GirlSwahili· “good, beautiful”
- Meaning
- good, beautiful
- Origin
- Swahili
- Pronunciation
- ZOO-ree
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #329
- US babies 2025
- 932
- Best rank
- #194 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Zuri
Zuri is a Swahili name that means “good, beautiful”.
Zuri comes from Swahili, where the word means good or beautiful. It is used as a given name in East Africa and has grown in popularity in the United States, where parents appreciate its short, bright sound and positive meaning. By coincidence, zuri also means white in Basque, and it shares a sound with the Swiss city of Zurich. The name is easy to spell and pronounce and stands out without being unusual. It pairs well with both classic and modern middle names.
Popularity over time
Zuri first appears in US Social Security records in 1971. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 16 different years, starting in 2010. Its best national rank was #194 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,523 babies. In 2025, 932 babies were named Zuri, and it ranked #329 nationally. That is 30% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #10,391 in 1980, #3,215 in 2000, #982 in 2010, and #329 in 2025. Of the 16,844 US girls named Zuri since records began, 46% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 7,024 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Journee, Aspen, Zara, Wren, and Leia.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Zuri ranked highest in District of Columbia, Georgia, and Maryland.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #63 | 11 |
| Georgia | #106 | 86 |
| Maryland | #125 | 37 |
| Alabama | #176 | 26 |
| Louisiana | #207 | 22 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Zuri over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Zuri is usually pronounced ZOO-ree, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with Z and ends in “-ri”.
Middle names for Zuri
A few middle names that flow with Zuri: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Zuri
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Lists that include Zuri
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zuri mean?
Zuri is a Swahili name that means “good, beautiful”.
What is the origin of the name Zuri?
Zuri has Swahili roots. Zuri comes from Swahili, where the word means good or beautiful.
Is Zuri a popular name?
Yes. Zuri ranked #329 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Zuri a boy or girl name?
Zuri is mainly a girl's name. About 98% of US babies named Zuri over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Zuri?
Zuri is usually pronounced ZOO-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