Ori

♂ Boy

Pronounced OR-ee /ˈɔːr.i/Medium

Meaning: from Hebrew 'ori', combining 'or' ('light') with the possessive suffix, meaning 'my light'Medium

In 30 seconds: Ori is a Hebrew boy's name meaning 'my light', built from 'or' ('light') plus the possessive ending. It is bright and compact, with a clear personal warmth.

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Origin MediumHebrew

Meaningfrom Hebrew 'ori', combining 'or' ('light') with the possessive suffix, meaning 'my light'

U.S. rank (2025)#2002 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births76 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,616

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

Ori comes from the Hebrew word 'or', meaning 'light', joined to a suffix that turns it into 'my light'. The name has long been used in Jewish communities, where light carries deep symbolic weight. Its closeness to the related name Uri, 'my light' as well, makes the two easy to confuse and easy to love.

At just two syllables, Ori is gentle and quick to learn. Variants such as Uri, Ouri, and the accented Óri reflect how the same Hebrew root has been written across different languages and traditions.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Ori is 'my light', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name - Ori — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

ÓriUriOuri'Uri

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Ori Orr (1939-)
Israeli former general and politician
★Ori Gersht (1967-)
Israeli fine-art photographer
★Ori Kaplan (1969-)
Israeli musician and saxophonist

If you like Ori…

Uriah— extends the same 'or'/'uri' light root that Ori carries

Noam— a short Hebrew boy's name with the same compact, warm feel

Uri— echoes that soft -i sound

Adi— shares Ori's Hebrew roots

Ari— a fellow Hebrew choice

Explore names like Ori

By themehebrew unisex

By meaningLight

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ori mean?

Ori is usually explained as meaning 'my light' and is most often linked with Hebrew tradition.

How do you pronounce Ori?

It's commonly said OR-ee /ˈɔːr.i/.

Is Ori a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Ori is used as a boy name.

How popular is Ori?

In 2024, Ori ranked #1564 in the U.S. for boys, with 111 births recorded.