Omari Boy

Popularity: #523 · Trend: ↗ Rising

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.

AmariKhalilZuriAmaniJabariNia

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.

OmarKofiZaireMalikAmaniJabariImaniTariq

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Omari was first seen in the United States in 1971.

Omari has ranked as high as #958 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
10%
FL 40
9%
TX 40
9%
NY 33
8%
CA 32
7%
VA 19
4%
NC 18
4%
MI 14
3%
PA 14
3%
AZ 14
3%
LA 13
3%
IL 13
3%
OH 12
3%
SC 12
3%
TN 12
3%

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 404 397 7
2024 470 465 5
2023 504 496 8
2022 566 555 11
2021 618 605 13
2020 603 585 18
2019 628 612 16
2018 629 618 11
2017 582 570 12
2016 565 553 12
2015 582 567 15
2014 356 341 15
2013 330 318 12
2012 348 334 14
2011 376 364 12
2010 381 368 13
2009 435 428 7
2008 498 479 19
2007 391 376 15
2006 315 302 13
2005 344 322 22
2004 419 399 20
2003 347 332 15
2002 273 256 17
2001 180 166 14
2000 177 166 11
1999 160 155 5
1998 177 172 5
1997 140 132 8
1996 116 107 9
1995 102 97 5
1994 118 108 10
1993 89 84 5
1992 86 86 0
1991 93 93 0
1990 93 93 0
1989 64 64 0
1988 67 67 0
1987 57 57 0
1986 63 63 0
1985 55 55 0
1984 56 56 0
1983 50 50 0
1982 67 67 0
1981 76 76 0
1980 91 91 0
1979 65 60 5
1978 75 75 0
1977 74 74 0
1976 50 50 0
1975 49 49 0
1974 47 47 0
1973 36 36 0
1972 13 13 0
1971 7 7 0