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Heri
Pronounced HEH-ree /ˈhɛr.i/Medium
Meaning: From the Swahili heri, 'good fortune; blessing; happiness; well-being' — heard in the greeting 'Heri ya mwaka mpya' ('Happy New Year'). A warm, upbeat name, noted honestly.Low
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
As a boy's name Heri comes from the Swahili for 'good; blessing; happiness; well-being', familiar from holiday greetings. Warm and bright — rare in the U.S. (said 'HEH-ree').
It appears rarely in the U.S., familiar in East Africa. Rare here, warm, and bright.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Heri mean?
Heri is Swahili for 'good fortune; blessing; happiness.'
How do you pronounce Heri?
It's said HEH-ree /ˈhɛr.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Heri a boy or girl name?
Heri is used as a boy's name.
How popular is Heri?
Heri is a rare name in the U.S.