"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
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Amiri
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Amiri
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"ruler, leader"
Origin: Swahili
Language: Swahili
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Amiri
See all →What the Amiri report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Amiri the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Amiri
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Amiri head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Amiri actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
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
Names You Might Also Love
See all →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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Amiri
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Amiri fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Amiri is also used as a girl name, ranked #880.
View Amiri as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Amiri →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Amiri with...
Same Origin Names (Swahili)
See all Swahili names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Amiri
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Amiri and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Amiri sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Salem
Boy
Hebrew origin
"peace, complete"
#635 in US
Adan
Boy
Hebrew origin
"created from red earth"
#496 in US
Yusuf
Boy
Hebrew origin
"He will add"
#476 in US
Ahmad
Boy
Arabic root h-m-d origin
"most highly praised, most commendable"
#670 in US
Kameron
Boy
Scottish Gaelic origin
"crooked nose"
#429 in US
Mohamed
Boy
Classical Arabic origin
"one who is praised"
#549 in US
Ibrahim
Boy
Hebrew (alternative etymology) origin
"father is exalted"
#360 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Amiri's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
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.
Keep Exploring
Arabic Names
Browse all names with this origin
A
Names Starting with A
More boy names like Amiri
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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