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Safari

♂ Boy

Pronounced sah-FAH-ree /sɑˈfɑ.ri/Medium

Meaning: From Swahili safari (from Arabic safar), 'a journey; an expedition; a voyage; travel'Low

In 30 seconds: A journey; an expedition: Safari is Swahili 'a journey'. Crisp, adventurous, and warm (said 'sah-FAH-ree').

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Origin LowSwahili

MeaningFrom Swahili safari (from Arabic safar), 'a journey; an expedition; a voyage; travel'

U.S. rank (2025)#8787 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births9 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 138

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

Safari comes from Swahili safari (from Arabic safar), 'a journey; an expedition; a voyage; travel'. A crisp, adventurous East African name (said 'sah-FAH-ree').

In the U.S. it appears in East African families. Rare, a-journey-and-an-expedition at the root, and adventurous.

Did you know? Safari means 'a journey; an expedition; a voyage; travel' in Swahili (from Arabic safar) — a crisp, adventurous name (said 'sah-FAH-ree').

Overall data confidence 48%

References — Safari — Swahili etymology

Variations

SafarySaffari

Nicknames

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If you like Safari…

Jabari— a fellow Swahili boys' name

Amani— a companion Swahili name

Baraka— a sound-neighbor Swahili boys' name

Bakari— a fellow Swahili choice

Damiri— another Swahili name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Safari mean?

Safari is Swahili for 'a journey; an expedition; a voyage'.

How do you pronounce Safari?

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

Is Safari a boy or girl name?

Safari is most often a boy's name.

How popular is Safari?

Safari is a rare name in the U.S.