Amari: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Girl name origins & meanings

What does Amari mean and stand for as a girl's name?

Meaning:

Hebrew: Promised by God
African: Strength, builder
Arabic: One who builds; eternal, immortal; moon
Greek: Immortal

Gender: Female, unisex

Syllables: 3

Pronunciation: The name Amari is pronounced a-MAHR-ee

The name Amari is of multiple origins, often found in Hebrew, African, and Arabic cultures. In Hebrew, it signifies "promised by God," while in African contexts, it means "strength." In Arabic, it conveys the meaning of "one who builds." This diversity in meanings highlights the name's rich and varied heritage.

Girl name variations

Boy name origins & meanings

What does Amari mean and stand for as a boy's name?

Meaning:

Hebrew: Promised by God
African: Strength, builder
Arabic: One who builds; eternal, immortal; moon
Greek: Immortal

Gender: Male, unisex

Syllables: 3

Pronunciation: The name Amari is pronounced ah-MAHR-ee

The name Amari has origins in both African and Arabic cultures, as well as Greek and Hebrew cultures. In African contexts, it signifies strength and the act of building. In Arabic, Amari means eternal or immortal. This versatile name carries powerful connotations of endurance and timelessness.

Boy name variations

Family name origins & meanings

Italian (Sicily): see Amaro.

Arabic: variant of Amar.

Japanese: "surplus", usually written with characters used phonetically. It appears to be a shortening of amaribe "surplus doors", a reference to the practice among census takers from ancient times up to the era of the Tokugawa shogunate (1603–1867) of listing households in groups of fifty; any households exceeding this number or a multiple of it were referred to as "surplus." The surname is found chiefly in Northeastern Japan.

Amari in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Amari from Children of Blood and Bone - A brave young girl fighting against oppression.
Amari Cooper from Draft Day - A talented football player who gets drafted into the NFL.
Amari from The Dragon Prince - A determined general and elder sister to the Queen.
Amari Aden from Sycamore Row - A key character in John Grisham's legal thriller.
Amari Bailey from Swagger - A high school basketball phenom, inspired by real-life NBA player, Kevin Durant.

Popularity of the Name Amari

According to Social Security Administration data, Amari has seen a rise in popularity over recent years, currently ranking within the top 200 names in the U.S. This name, which has roots in multiple cultures, including African and Hebrew, resonates with many due to its meanings such as "strength" and "eternal." Amari has been steadily climbing the charts since the early 2000s, reflecting a broader trend towards unique, multicultural names.

Prominent individuals named Amari include NFL wide receiver Amari Cooper and actor Amari McCoy. The name also appears in popular media; for example, Amari is a central character in B.B. Alston's young adult fantasy novel Amari and the Night Brothers. This growing recognition across various domains underscores Amari's rising appeal among new parents seeking a distinctive yet meaningful name for their children.