Omari
oh-MAR-ee
Omari is a Swahili name derived from Arabic Umar, meaning “life, long-lived,” or alternatively interpreted as “God is exalted” in East African naming tradition.
Umar ibn al-Khattab was the second Caliph of Islam, and his name spread across the Islamic world. In East Africa, the Swahili form Omari became standard, softened by the -i suffix common in Bantu languages.
Omari peaked at No. 471 in 2018 with 618 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 617 with 461 births, below its recent peak.
What the name Omari means
Actor Omari Hardwick (Power) brought the name into American pop-culture awareness. Its use among African American families reflects both Islamic heritage and East African cultural connection.
Three syllables—oh-MAH-ree—flow smoothly. The open vowels and the liquid final syllable give it an easy, musical quality that works across language boundaries.
Parents choosing Omari often want a name rooted in African or Islamic heritage that pronounces easily for English speakers without transliteration awkwardness.
Related forms include Omar (Arabic/Spanish), Umar (Arabic), and Amari—all sharing the same semantic family around themes of life and longevity.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Omari
Omari - similar names
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