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Jabari

♂ Boy

Pronounced juh-BAR-ee /dʒəˈbɑːr.i/High

Meaning: Brave; fearless; from Swahili jabari (brave, bold), from Arabic jabbar (powerful, compeller)High

In 30 seconds: A Swahili name meaning 'brave' or 'fearless,' from Arabic jabbar (powerful). Prince T'Challa's young protégé Jabari in Black Panther (2018) helped bring this name to international attention.

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Origin HighSwahili, Arabic

MeaningBrave; fearless; from Swahili jabari (brave, bold), from Arabic jabbar (powerful, compeller)

U.S. rank (2025)#1189 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births172 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2006

Total births (all-time)≈ 9,761

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

Jabari derives from Swahili jabari (brave, courageous), from Arabic jabbar (powerful, one who compels). Al-Jabbar (The Compeller) is one of the 99 Names of Allah in Islam. As a given name, Jabari has been used in East African and African American communities.

Jabari has been used in U.S. birth data since at least the 1980s. It ranked #1022 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? In Marvel's Black Panther (2018), the Jabari tribe is the mountain-dwelling people of Wakanda — their tribal name Jabari means 'brave' in Swahili, perfectly fitting their role as the warriors who ultimately save Wakanda.

Overall data confidence 89%

Behind the Name — Jabari — Swahili/Arabic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

Jabary

Nicknames

Jab

Famous Bearers

★Jabari Parker (1995-)
American professional basketball player and former NBA second overall draft pick
★Jabari Smith Jr. (2003-)
American NBA forward for the Houston Rockets
★Jabari Banks (1998-)
American actor who portrays Will in the series Bel-Air

If you like Jabari…

Amari— three-syllable African/Arabic name in the same community

Omari— three-syllable -ari ending Swahili name meaning God the highest

Kamari— three-syllable -ari ending name in the same East African tradition

Khamari— another Arabic name

Bakari— shares the -ri ending

Explore names like Jabari

By themearabic three-syllable swahili warrior east-african brave

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Jabari mean?

Jabari means 'brave' or 'fearless,' from Swahili jabari and Arabic jabbar (powerful, compeller).

How do you pronounce Jabari?

It's said juh-BAR-ee — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Jabari a boy or girl name?

Jabari is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Jabari?

Jabari ranked #1022 for U.S. boys in 2024.