Amari Unisex

Popularity: #167 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ah-MAH-ree /əˈmɑːri/

Origin: African; Hebrew

Meaning: African: strength; Hebrew: God has promised

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Amari has roots that can be traced back to various linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the African and Hebrew languages. In Hebrew, the name is often interpreted as meaning "eternal" or "immortal," stemming from the root word "amar," which means "to say" or "to speak." This connection to language and expression adds a layer of depth to the name's significance.

The name has also been associated with the African origin, where it is sometimes interpreted to mean "strength" or "builder," reflecting qualities of resilience and fortitude. The transition of the name into English-speaking contexts likely occurred through cultural exchanges and the influence of African American communities, particularly during the 20th century, as names from diverse backgrounds gained recognition and acceptance in broader society.

Historically, the name Amari does not have prominent figures in Western literature or biblical texts, which makes its historical milestones less defined compared to more traditional names. However, its emergence in the late 20th century can be linked to a growing appreciation for names that reflect cultural heritage and identity.

The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, contributing to its resonance in contemporary naming practices. The use of Amari in literature and popular culture has also helped to solidify its place in modern naming conventions, although specific instances are less documented.

Culturally, Amari carries connotations of strength and resilience, making it a name that resonates with many families seeking to honor their heritage or instill values of endurance in their children. The name's melodic quality and positive meanings have contributed to its appeal, and it is sometimes affectionately shortened to forms like Mari.

Overall, Amari reflects a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural significance, embodying themes of strength and continuity.

Famous people named Amari

In this section, you will find notable people named Amari. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Amari who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Amari who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Amari Cooper is a professional football player best known for playing with the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders.

Amari Stoudemire is a former professional basketball player best known for his time with the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks.

Fictional characters named Amari

The following list of fictional characters named Amari is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Amari is a fictional character from the book Amari and the Night Brothers. She is a young girl who discovers a magical world while searching for her missing brother.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Amari, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Amari. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Amari was first seen in the United States in 1974.

Amari has ranked as high as #251 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in Florida, Texas, New York, California, and Georgia.

In the past 5 years the name Amari has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Amari is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Amari was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Amari (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.

State Births Share
TX 239
12%
CA 169
8%
FL 166
8%
NY 118
6%
PA 110
5%
GA 101
5%
NC 94
5%
OH 84
4%
VA 68
3%
MD 67
3%
IL 63
3%
MI 61
3%
TN 55
3%
AL 47
2%
AZ 46
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Amari.

YearBirths
20242,158
20232,419
20222,174
20211,920
20201,741
20191,593
20181,322
20171,323
20161,361
20151,366
2014985
2013955
20121,075
20111,056
20101,005
20091,088
2008951
2007879
2006684
2005666
2004638
2003613
2002505
2001300
2000260
1999230
1998251
1997149
199685
199544
199443
199322
199221
199118
199014
19897
198812
19867
198510
19816
19806
19755
19746