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Home › Baby Names Directory › Jafari

Jafari

♂ Boy

Pronounced jah-FAH-ree /dʒɑːˈfɑː.ri/Medium

Meaning: A Swahili name from the Arabic Ja'far, 'stream; rivulet; small river' — borne by Ja'far ibn Abi Talib and by Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq. A name of flowing water and honoured history, noted respectfully.Low

In 30 seconds: A flowing Swahili name: Jafari comes from Ja'far, 'stream' (said 'jah-FAH-ree'). Fresh and honoured.
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Origin MediumSwahili, Arabic
MeaningA Swahili name from the Arabic Ja'far, 'stream; rivulet; small river' — borne by Ja'far ibn Abi Talib and by Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq. A name of flowing water and honoured history, noted respectfully.
U.S. rank (2023)#10142 ↗ Rising
2023 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2020
Total births (all-time)≈ 217

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202019732023

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 Jafari is a Swahili name from the Arabic Ja'far, 'stream; small river', tied to honoured early Muslim figures. Fresh and dignified — rare in the U.S. (said 'jah-FAH-ree').

It appears rarely in the U.S., familiar in East Africa. Rare here, flowing, and honoured.

Did you know? Jafari is a Swahili form of the Arabic Ja'far, 'stream; rivulet' — a name carried by Ja'far ibn Abi Talib and Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq — fresh and honoured, noted respectfully (said 'jah-FAH-ree').
Overall data confidence 46%
References — Jafari — Swahili from Arabic Ja'far 'stream'

Variations

JaffarJafarJaffari

Nicknames

JafFari

Famous Bearers

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If you like Jafari…

Jafar— the Arabic root name
Jabari— a like Swahili boy's name
Jabali— a like Swahili -i name
Rashidi— a like Swahili -i name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Jafari mean?

Jafari is a Swahili name from the Arabic Ja'far, 'stream; rivulet.'

How do you pronounce Jafari?

It's said jah-FAH-ree /dʒɑːˈfɑː.ri/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Jafari a boy or girl name?

Jafari is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Jafari?

Jafari is a rare name in the U.S.

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