Khari

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAR-ee /ˈkɑːr.i/High

Meaning: kingly, princely, queenlyMedium

In 30 seconds: Khari is a Swahili name meaning kingly or princely. A strong short two-syllable name with royal connotations, used for both boys and girls in African-American communities.

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Origin MediumSwahili, African

Meaningkingly, princely, queenly

U.S. rank (2025)#3051 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births54 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2019

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,952

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

Khari is a Swahili and African name meaning kingly or princely. In African-American naming traditions it has been used as both a masculine and feminine given name.

Khari has been in use in African-American communities since the late 20th century.

Did you know? In Swahili naming tradition, names carry aspirational meaning — Khari means kingly, expressing the wish that the child will be noble, regal, and worthy of respect.

Overall data confidence 82%

Behind the Name: Khari — name etymology referenceSwahili Name Studies — reference for Khari

Variations

KharyKariKaree

Nicknames

Kha

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By themetwo-syllable african-american royal swahili african

By meaningRoyal / Noble

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Frequently Asked

What does Khari mean?

Khari means kingly, princely, or queenly in Swahili.

How do you pronounce Khari?

Khari is pronounced KAR-ee (/ˈkɑːr.i/), with two syllables.

Is Khari a girl's name?

Khari is used for both boys and girls in African-American communities.

How popular is the name Khari?

Khari has been in use in African-American communities since the late 20th century.