Omari Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: oh-MAH-ree /oʊˈmɑːri/
Origin: Swahili; Arabic
Meaning: Swahili: 'flourishing, long-lived'; Arabic: 'the highest, exalted'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Omari has its roots in the Swahili language, where it is derived from the Arabic name 'Umar' (عُمَر), meaning 'flourishing' or 'long-lived.' The Arabic name itself has historical significance, being associated with Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second caliph of Islam, who ruled from 634 to 644 CE. His leadership is noted for significant expansions of the Islamic empire and for establishing many administrative and legal frameworks that influenced later Islamic governance.
The name 'Umar' has been widely used in various cultures influenced by Islam, including among Arabic-speaking populations and in regions where Swahili is spoken, particularly along the East African coast. As the name transitioned into Swahili, it took on the form 'Omari,' which is commonly used in East Africa.
The linguistic journey from Arabic to Swahili reflects the historical interactions between Arab traders and the Bantu-speaking peoples of the region, particularly during the medieval period when trade routes flourished along the Indian Ocean. This cultural exchange facilitated the adoption of Arabic names and terms into Swahili, enriching its vocabulary and cultural identity.
Omari carries connotations of strength and vitality, resonating with cultural values that emphasize resilience and prosperity. In various African cultures, names are often chosen for their meanings and the virtues they represent, making Omari a name that embodies positive attributes.
Additionally, the name has been associated with notable figures in literature and history, further solidifying its cultural significance. The name's enduring appeal can be attributed to its rich etymological roots and the historical figures associated with it, which continue to inspire and resonate within communities that value heritage and identity.
Famous people named Omari
In this section, you will find notable people named Omari. 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 Omari who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Omari 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.
Omari Hardwick is an actor best known for Power, Being Mary Jane, and The A-Team.
Omari Akhmedov is a professional mixed martial artist best known for competing in the UFC and other major promotions.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Omari, 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 Omari. 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 Omari was first seen in the United States in 1971.
Omari has ranked as high as #805 nationally, which occurred in 2018, and has been most popular in New York, Florida, California, Georgia, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Omari has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Omari 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 Omari was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Omari (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 |
|---|---|---|
| GA | 42 | |
| TX | 40 | |
| FL | 40 | |
| NY | 33 | |
| CA | 32 | |
| VA | 19 | |
| NC | 18 | |
| AZ | 14 | |
| MI | 14 | |
| PA | 14 | |
| LA | 13 | |
| IL | 13 | |
| TN | 12 | |
| OH | 12 | |
| SC | 12 |
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 Omari.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 461 |
| 2023 | 496 |
| 2022 | 555 |
| 2021 | 605 |
| 2020 | 584 |
| 2019 | 612 |
| 2018 | 618 |
| 2017 | 570 |
| 2016 | 553 |
| 2015 | 567 |
| 2014 | 341 |
| 2013 | 318 |
| 2012 | 334 |
| 2011 | 364 |
| 2010 | 368 |
| 2009 | 428 |
| 2008 | 479 |
| 2007 | 376 |
| 2006 | 302 |
| 2005 | 322 |
| 2004 | 399 |
| 2003 | 332 |
| 2002 | 256 |
| 2001 | 166 |
| 2000 | 166 |
| 1999 | 155 |
| 1998 | 172 |
| 1997 | 132 |
| 1996 | 107 |
| 1995 | 97 |
| 1994 | 108 |
| 1993 | 84 |
| 1992 | 86 |
| 1991 | 93 |
| 1990 | 93 |
| 1989 | 64 |
| 1988 | 67 |
| 1987 | 57 |
| 1986 | 63 |
| 1985 | 55 |
| 1984 | 56 |
| 1983 | 50 |
| 1982 | 67 |
| 1981 | 76 |
| 1980 | 91 |
| 1979 | 60 |
| 1978 | 75 |
| 1977 | 74 |
| 1976 | 50 |
| 1975 | 49 |
| 1974 | 47 |
| 1973 | 36 |
| 1972 | 13 |
| 1971 | 7 |