"prince, commander"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Amiri
Pronunciation: [ ahm-IHR-ee ]
Does Amiri flow with your last name?
A royal Swahili name meaning 'prince'
Swahili
Arabic
African-American
Strong
Royal
Modern
Bold
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"ruler, leader"
Origin: Swahili
Language: Swahili
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The Story of Amiri
Amiri is the Swahili word for 'prince' or 'commander', derived from the Arabic 'amir' meaning 'ruler' or 'prince'. The Arabic root connects to a long lineage of noble titles across the Islamic world. In East African cultures, the name carries deep connotations of leadership and dignity, making it both culturally grounded and internationally resonant.
Amiri has grown steadily in the United States, particularly in African-American communities since the 1990s. The name gained additional cultural visibility through poet and activist Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) and the luxury fashion brand Amiri launched in 2014.
In Swahili-speaking East African countries, Amiri is a traditional name of honor. In the Arabic tradition, the root 'amir' connects to a long line of rulers and commanders across the Middle East and Islamic world.
Historical Record
Amiri first appeared in US Social Security records in 1971.
Over 2,830 babies have been named Amiri in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Amiri is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #536 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Amiri Baraka was a prominent African-American poet and playwright who changed his name from LeRoi Jones in 1967
- The luxury streetwear brand Amiri was founded in Los Angeles in 2014
- The name has been rising in popularity charts in the US since 2010
Amiri in Other Languages
Arabic
أميري
French
Amiri
Spanish
Amiri
Swahili
Amiri
Popularity Over Time
#536
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Amiri
A
Amiri King
Entertainer
1982
American comedian and social media personality
A
Amiri Baraka
Writer
1934
Influential African-American poet, playwright, and activist, formerly known as LeRoi Jones
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #536
- Total SSA Count
- 556
- Cultural Origins
- Swahili Arabic African-American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mir
Ami
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Amiri
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
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Also a Girl Name
Amiri is also used as a girl name, ranked #880.
View Amiri as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Amiri
What does the name Amiri mean?
"prince, commander" (from Arabic). "ruler, leader" (from Swahili). Amiri is the Swahili word for 'prince' or 'commander', derived from the Arabic 'amir' meaning 'ruler' or 'prince'. The Arabic root connects to a long lineage of noble titles across the Islamic world. In East African cultures, the name carries deep connotations of leadership and dignity, making it both culturally grounded and internationally resonant.
What is the origin of the name Amiri?
Amiri has Arabic, Swahili, and African-American origins. In Arabic, it means "prince, commander". In Swahili, it means "ruler, leader".
Is Amiri a boy or girl name?
Amiri is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #536. As a girl name, it is ranked #880. Amiri is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Amiri?
Amiri is pronounced ahm-IHR-ee.
How popular is the name Amiri?
Amiri is currently ranked #536 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Amiri?
Common nicknames for Amiri include Mir and Ami.
What are good middle names for Amiri?
Popular middle name pairings include Amiri James, Amiri Cole, Amiri Rashid, Amiri Elijah, Amiri Zane, and Amiri Leon.
What are good sibling names for Amiri?
Names that pair well with Amiri as siblings include Zara, Kai, Naomi, Isaiah, Leila, and Marcus.
How many syllables does Amiri have?
Amiri has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Amiri a common or rare name?
Amiri is moderately common, ranked #536 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Amiri?
About the Name Amiri
Amiri is a boy name with Swahili, Arabic, and African-American origins . The name means "prince, commander" in Arabic .
Is Amiri a boy or girl name? Amiri is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #536 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #880. Amiri is more commonly used as a boy name.
Amiri is currently ranked #536 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Amiri has 3 syllables and is pronounced ahm-IHR-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Amiri include Mir and Ami. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Amiri include Amir, Amirion, Amire, Amiris . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis