Khari

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAH-ree /ˈkɑː.riː/Low

Meaning: Kingly, of noble birth, royalLow

In 30 seconds: Khari is a Swahili and Arabic name meaning kingly or of noble birth. Used in African American communities and across African diaspora families, it carries aspirational royal meaning in a crisp two-syllable form.

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Origin LowSwahili, Arabic

MeaningKingly, of noble birth, royal

U.S. rank (2025)#1532 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births113 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2020

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,765

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 derives from Swahili and Arabic roots meaning kingly or of noble descent. Swahili names have been adopted in African American naming traditions since the 1960s as part of cultural reconnection with African heritage.

Khari is popular in African American communities and is part of a broader naming tradition honoring African linguistic and cultural heritage. Its two syllables and strong meaning make it a proud choice.

Did you know? The Swahili language is spoken by over 200 million people across East Africa and is widely taught as a second language. Swahili names like Khari have been embraced by African American families reconnecting with African cultural heritage.

Overall data confidence 60%

Behind the Name: Khari

Variations

KharyKareemKari

Nicknames

KarKhar

Famous Bearers

★Khari Jones (1971-present)
American-born Canadian Football League quarterback and coach, CFL Most Outstanding Player in 2001
★Khari Willis (1996-present)
American former NFL safety who played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2019 to 2021

If you like Khari…

Kareem— Arabic noble/generous name of same royal tradition

Jahari— Swahili name of same African heritage

Omari— Swahili/Arabic name of same two-syllable nobility

Amari— Swahili/Arabic name of same strength tradition

Explore names like Khari

By themearabic two-syllable african-american swahili noble

By meaningRoyal / Noble

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Frequently Asked

What does Khari mean?

Khari means kingly or of noble birth in Swahili and Arabic.

Is Khari an African name?

Yes, Khari has Swahili and Arabic roots and is popular in African American and African diaspora communities.

How do you pronounce Khari?

Khari is pronounced KAH-ree with two syllables.

What names are similar to Khari?

Similar names include Kareem, Omari, and Amari.