Amiri
ah-MIH-ree
Amiri is an Arabic name derived from amīr (“prince,” “commander”), the same root as the English word emir. The -i suffix in Arabic often creates a possessive or adjectival form, giving Amiri the sense of “of the prince” or “princes’.”
In Swahili, amiri similarly means “commander” or “lord,” reflecting the spread of Arabic vocabulary through East African Islamic culture. The name functions naturally across Arabic and Swahili contexts.
Amiri peaked at No. 507 in 2023 with 595 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 533 with 556 births, near its recent high.
What the name Amiri means
Amiri Baraka (1934-2014), the African American poet and political activist born LeRoi Jones, is among the most prominent bearers of the name in American cultural history. His work keeps the name in literary awareness.
Four syllables in slow speech—uh-MEER-ee—but often collapsed to 3. The flowing vowels and the accented middle syllable give the name an open, musical quality.
Parents choosing Amiri in the United States often draw on its Arabic meaning of nobility and command, its African American literary associations, or its resonance in Swahili-speaking African communities.
The name connects to a broader cluster including Amir, Emir, and Amira, all rooted in the same Arabic concept of leadership and noble rank.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Amiri - similar names
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