Neri

♀ Girl

Pronounced NEH-ree /ˈnɛ.ri/Medium

Meaning: From Hebrew ner, 'lamp; candle', with the possessive ending: 'my light; my lamp'. Neri is also a well-known Italian surname (as in Saint Philip Neri) that occasionally crosses into first-name use, and it serves as a short form of Nereida.Low

In 30 seconds: Neri means 'my light' in Hebrew — a small, warm, lamp-lit name (said 'NEH-ree').

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Origin LowHebrew, Italian

MeaningFrom Hebrew ner, 'lamp; candle', with the possessive ending: 'my light; my lamp'. Neri is also a well-known Italian surname (as in Saint Philip Neri) that occasionally crosses into first-name use, and it serves as a short form of Nereida.

U.S. rank (2024)#14737 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2014

Total births (all-time)≈ 220

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

Neri comes from the Hebrew ner, 'lamp; candle', and reads as 'my light'. It is used in modern Israel, where short, luminous names of this kind have flourished. Neri is separately a familiar Italian surname — Saint Philip Neri of Rome being the best known — and it also works as a short form of Nereida. Small, bright, and easy to say (said 'NEH-ree').

In the U.S. it appears only rarely. Rare, short, and warm.

Did you know? The Hebrew word ner means 'lamp' — so Neri reads as 'my light', a name that has been kindled again in modern Israel.

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Neri — Hebrew ner 'lamp' + possessive; also Italian surname

Variations

NeritNeriyaNery

Nicknames

NerRee

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Neri…

Noa— a like short modern Hebrew pick

Lior— a like Hebrew 'light' name

Talia— a like warm Hebrew choice

Arri— shares the -ri ending

Bari— a similarly popular pick

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Neri mean?

Neri means 'my light' or 'my lamp' in Hebrew, from ner ('lamp'). It is also an Italian surname.

How do you pronounce Neri?

It's said NEH-ree /ˈnɛ.ri/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Neri a boy or girl name?

Neri is used here as a girl's name; in Israel the related forms are used for both.

How popular is Neri?

Neri is a rare name for girls in the U.S.