Uri Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: OO-ree /ˈuːri/
Origin: Hebrew; Japanese
Meaning: Hebrew: 'my light'; Japanese: 'to be' or 'to exist'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Uri has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word 'אורי' (Uri), which translates to 'my light' or 'my flame.' This etymological origin reflects a combination of the Hebrew words 'אוֹר' (or), meaning 'light,' and the possessive suffix 'י' (i), indicating 'my.' The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where it is associated with several figures, most notably Uri, the son of Hur, who is mentioned in the Book of Exodus as an assistant to Moses during the construction of the Tabernacle, dating back to the 13th century BCE. Historically, the name Uri has been borne by various notable figures throughout Jewish history, contributing to its significance within the culture.
In the context of biblical narratives, the name signifies enlightenment and guidance, aligning with the broader themes of light and illumination found in Jewish tradition. The name has also been used in various Jewish texts and commentaries, further embedding it within the cultural and religious fabric of Jewish identity.
Culturally, Uri is often associated with positive attributes such as wisdom and clarity, resonating with the symbolic meanings of light in many traditions. The name has maintained its relevance through centuries, appearing in various forms across different cultures and languages, including adaptations in modern Hebrew.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as Uriel, which means 'God is my light,' have emerged, further enriching the name's historical tapestry. Overall, Uri embodies a legacy of illumination and guidance, making it a name of enduring significance.
Famous people named Uri
In this section, you will find notable people named Uri. 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 Uri who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Uri 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.
Uri Geller is a magician and illusionist best known for his spoon bending and psychic abilities.
Uri Avnery was an Israeli peace activist and journalist best known for his writings and advocacy for Palestinian rights.
Uri Sivan is a physicist best known for his work in quantum optics and photonics.
Fictional characters named Uri
The following list of fictional characters named Uri 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.
Uri is a fictional character from the video game series The Legend of Zelda. He is a key figure in the storyline, often associated with the mystical elements of the game world.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Uri, 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 Uri. 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 Uri was first seen in the United States in 1913.
Uri has ranked as high as #1316 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in New York, California, Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Uri has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Uri 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 Uri was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Uri (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 |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 12 | |
| TX | 5 |
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 Uri.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 40 |
| 2023 | 60 |
| 2022 | 49 |
| 2021 | 35 |
| 2020 | 29 |
| 2019 | 35 |
| 2018 | 32 |
| 2017 | 28 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2015 | 29 |
| 2014 | 28 |
| 2013 | 37 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2011 | 22 |
| 2010 | 38 |
| 2009 | 40 |
| 2008 | 37 |
| 2007 | 24 |
| 2006 | 13 |
| 2005 | 25 |
| 2004 | 15 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2002 | 26 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2000 | 17 |
| 1999 | 17 |
| 1998 | 19 |
| 1997 | 27 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 1995 | 13 |
| 1994 | 12 |
| 1993 | 13 |
| 1992 | 14 |
| 1991 | 11 |
| 1990 | 9 |
| 1989 | 12 |
| 1988 | 13 |
| 1987 | 12 |
| 1986 | 11 |
| 1985 | 15 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1983 | 13 |
| 1982 | 20 |
| 1981 | 13 |
| 1980 | 12 |
| 1979 | 25 |
| 1978 | 14 |
| 1977 | 17 |
| 1976 | 22 |
| 1975 | 21 |
| 1974 | 15 |
| 1973 | 13 |
| 1972 | 12 |
| 1971 | 20 |
| 1970 | 8 |
| 1969 | 9 |
| 1968 | 7 |
| 1967 | 7 |
| 1964 | 6 |
| 1956 | 5 |
| 1913 | 5 |