"my candle, my light"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Neri
Pronunciation: [ n-EHR-ee ]
Does Neri flow with your last name?
A luminous Hebrew name meaning 'my light'
Israeli
Italian
Jewish
Spanish
Unique
Elegant
Spiritual
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Neri
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"dark-complexioned"
Origin: Latin niger
Language: Italian
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Neri
See all →What the Neri report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Neri 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 Neri
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Neri head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Neri
Neri derives from the Hebrew word 'ner' (נֵר) meaning 'candle' or 'lamp,' with the possessive suffix '-i' making it 'my light' or 'my candle.' In Italian, Neri is also a medieval surname and given name, derived from the Latin 'niger' meaning dark-complexioned — a different etymology that converged on the same form. The name gained widespread recognition through Saint Philip Neri (1515–1595), the beloved mystic and founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, who became the patron saint of Rome.
Neri remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries but has gained traction as parents seek short, globally-rooted names with distinctive sounds. In Israel, it is used for both boys and girls.
Saint Philip Neri is one of the most beloved saints in Italian Catholic tradition, known for his joyful spirituality and practical jokes. He is celebrated on May 26, and his influence made Neri a cherished name in Italian Catholic families. In the Jewish tradition, the candle metaphor carries deep significance, evoking Shabbat candles and the Hanukkah menorah.
Historical Record
Neri first appeared in US Social Security records in 1952.
Over 645 babies have been named Neri in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Neri is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #5,667 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Philip Neri is called the 'Apostle of Rome' and is famous for his playful personality and sense of humor — unusual traits for a Counter-Reformation saint
- In Israel, Neri is a gender-neutral name used for both boys and girls
Neri in Other Languages
Greek
Νήρης
Hebrew
נֵרִי
Italian
Neri
Spanish
Neri
Portuguese
Neri
Popularity Over Time
#5,667
Current Rank
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Neri
N
Neri Oxman
Engineer
1976
Israeli-American architect and designer known for combining biology with digital fabrication at MIT Media Lab
P
Philip Neri
Religious
1515
Italian Catholic priest, mystic, and founder of the Congregation of the Oratory; patron saint of Rome
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Jorel
Boy
"God is exalted, gift of God"
#5,795
Willian
Boy
"will, desire + helmet, protection"
#5,797
Yovanni
Boy
"Yahweh is gracious"
#5,684
Solar
Boy
"of the sun, relating to the sun"
#5,691
Myair
Boy
"form of Mary, beloved"
#5,709
Compare Neri with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,667
- Total SSA Count
- 17
- Cultural Origins
- Israeli Italian Jewish Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Neri
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Neri
Phonetic neighbors that share Neri's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Neri fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Neri is also used as a girl name, ranked #33289.
View Neri as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Neri →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 Neri with...
Same Origin Names (Israeli)
See all Israeli names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Neri
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Neri and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Neri 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 →
Jorel
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God is exalted, gift of God"
#5,795 in US
Willian
Boy
Old High German origin
"will, desire + helmet, protection"
#5,797 in US
Yovanni
Boy
Biblical Hebrew origin
"Yahweh is gracious"
#5,684 in US
Solar
Boy
Latin origin
"of the sun, relating to the sun"
#5,691 in US
Myair
Boy
Welsh origin
"form of Mary, beloved"
#5,709 in US
Zakkai
Boy
Hebrew origin
"pure, innocent, righteous"
#5,732 in US
Costa
Boy
Latin origin
"coast, shore"
#5,514 in US
Abran
Boy
Hebrew origin
"father of many"
#5,755 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Neri's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neri
What does the name Neri mean?
"my candle, my light" (from Hebrew). "dark-complexioned" (from Latin niger). Neri derives from the Hebrew word 'ner' (נֵר) meaning 'candle' or 'lamp,' with the possessive suffix '-i' making it 'my light' or 'my candle.' In Italian, Neri is also a medieval surname and given name, derived from the Latin 'niger' meaning dark-complexioned — a different etymology that converged on the same form. The name gained widespread recognition through Saint Philip Neri (1515–1595), the beloved mystic and founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, who became the patron saint of Rome.
What is the origin of the name Neri?
Neri has Hebrew, Latin niger, Israeli, Italian, Jewish, and Spanish origins. In Hebrew, it means "my candle, my light". In Latin niger, it means "dark-complexioned".
Is Neri a boy or girl name?
Neri is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5667. As a girl name, it is ranked #33289. Neri is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Neri?
Neri is pronounced n-EHR-ee.
How popular is the name Neri?
Neri is currently ranked #5667 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Neri?
Popular middle name pairings include Neri James, Neri Cole, Neri Finn, Neri Roan, Neri Blake, and Neri Soren.
What are good sibling names for Neri?
Names that pair well with Neri as siblings include Levi, Eli, Arlo, Mira, Soren, and Tali.
How many syllables does Neri have?
Neri has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Neri a common or rare name?
Neri is an uncommon name, ranked #5667 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Neri?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Neri
Neri is a boy name with Israeli, Italian, Jewish, and Spanish origins . The name means "my candle, my light" in Hebrew .
Is Neri a boy or girl name? Neri is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,667 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #33,289. Neri is more commonly used as a boy name.
Neri is currently ranked #5,667 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Neri has 2 syllables and is pronounced n-EHR-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Neri include Nery, Nero . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
N
Names Starting with N
More boy names like Neri
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
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