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Home › Baby Names Directory › Shomari

Shomari

♂ Boy

Pronounced shoh-MAH-ree /ʃoʊˈmɑːri/Medium

Meaning: A Swahili boy's name usually glossed 'forceful' or 'firm,' rooted in East African usage and popular among African American families since the later 20th century.Low

In 30 seconds: A strong three-beat name: Shomari is Swahili for 'forceful' (said 'shoh-MAH-ree'). Warm, rhythmic, and heritage-rooted.
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Origin MediumSwahili
MeaningA Swahili boy's name usually glossed 'forceful' or 'firm,' rooted in East African usage and popular among African American families since the later 20th century.
U.S. rank (2025)#9583 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1992
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,129

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199219732025

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

Shomari is a Swahili boy's name, generally glossed 'forceful' or 'firm.' It rose in U.S. use through African American families reconnecting with East African heritage from the 1970s onward. Warm and rhythmic (said 'shoh-MAH-ree').

It appears steadily but softly in the U.S., a heritage pick rather than a chart-topper. Rhythmic, rooted, and strong.

Did you know? Shomari comes from Swahili, usually read as 'forceful' — a name carried into wide U.S. use through African American naming traditions that draw on East African roots (said 'shoh-MAH-ree').
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Shomari — Swahili name 'forceful'; East African heritage use

Variations

ShomareyShamari

Nicknames

ShoMari

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Shomari…

Jamal— a like Swahili- and Arabic-rooted pick
Malik— a warm heritage name in sound
Kwame— an African-heritage boy's name
Omari— a close cousin in sound and root

Explore names like Shomari

By themeheritagestrongswahilirhythmic

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Shomari mean?

Shomari is a Swahili name usually glossed 'forceful' or 'firm.'

How do you pronounce Shomari?

It's said shoh-MAH-ree /ʃoʊˈmɑːri/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Shomari a boy or girl name?

Shomari is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Shomari?

Shomari is an uncommon but steadily used name for boys in the U.S.

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