Dakari Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: dah-KAH-ree //dɑːˈkɑːri//
Origin: African; Swahili
Meaning: Swahili: 'joyful'; African: 'to be joyful'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Dakari has its roots in the African linguistic tradition, specifically deriving from the Swahili language, where it means "happiness" or "joy." The etymology of Dakari can be traced back to the Bantu languages, which are a group of over 500 closely related languages spoken in various regions of Africa. The transition of the name into English is part of a broader trend of incorporating African names into English-speaking contexts, particularly during the 20th century as cultural exchanges increased and the African diaspora became more prominent in global society.
Historically, the name Dakari does not have specific milestones like biblical figures or saints, as it is more contemporary and rooted in modern African culture. However, the significance of names in many African cultures often reflects personal attributes or aspirations, and Dakari embodies the positive connotation of joy and happiness.
This cultural resonance is essential, as names often carry deep meanings and are chosen to reflect the values and hopes of families. The name Dakari may also be associated with various cultural narratives that emphasize the importance of joy and positivity in life.
In many African traditions, names are not merely identifiers but are imbued with meaning and significance, often linked to the circumstances of birth or the qualities parents wish to bestow upon their children. The enduring nature of such names, including Dakari, is a testament to the cultural emphasis on the values they represent, which can transcend generations.
Famous people named Dakari
In this section, you will find notable people named Dakari. 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 Dakari who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Dakari 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.
Dakari Johnson is a professional basketball player best known for playing with the Oklahoma City Blue and the Orlando Magic.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Dakari, 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 Dakari. 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 Dakari was first seen in the United States in 1974.
Dakari has ranked as high as #965 nationally, which occurred in 2020, and has been most popular in Florida, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Dakari has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Dakari 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 Dakari was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Dakari (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 | 31 | |
| FL | 26 | |
| GA | 21 | |
| OH | 20 | |
| IL | 18 | |
| AL | 17 | |
| SC | 14 | |
| NC | 14 | |
| MD | 12 | |
| MO | 12 | |
| TN | 10 | |
| LA | 9 | |
| MI | 9 | |
| VA | 9 | |
| IN | 9 |
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 Dakari.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 316 |
| 2023 | 334 |
| 2022 | 322 |
| 2021 | 322 |
| 2020 | 396 |
| 2019 | 247 |
| 2018 | 235 |
| 2017 | 160 |
| 2016 | 117 |
| 2015 | 114 |
| 2014 | 106 |
| 2013 | 101 |
| 2012 | 139 |
| 2011 | 77 |
| 2010 | 87 |
| 2009 | 94 |
| 2008 | 85 |
| 2007 | 82 |
| 2006 | 78 |
| 2005 | 72 |
| 2004 | 79 |
| 2003 | 56 |
| 2002 | 45 |
| 2001 | 56 |
| 2000 | 49 |
| 1999 | 36 |
| 1998 | 43 |
| 1997 | 37 |
| 1996 | 22 |
| 1995 | 22 |
| 1994 | 23 |
| 1993 | 15 |
| 1992 | 13 |
| 1991 | 12 |
| 1990 | 10 |
| 1987 | 5 |
| 1978 | 8 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1976 | 5 |
| 1974 | 6 |