Omari

Boy Name #619 Most Popular Rising 3 Syllables

East African roots, flourishing wherever he goes

Swahili-speaking African Arabic American African American

Earthy Spiritual Strong Unique Elegant

Meaning & Origin

"God the highest (variant interpretation)"

Origin: Arabic

Language: English

The Story of Omari

Omari is the Swahili form of the Arabic name Omar (Umar), derived from the Arabic root amara meaning 'to flourish, to thrive, to populate.' The name carries the connotation of a vibrant, populous life — someone who brings prosperity and liveliness. In East Africa, Omari is a common name in Swahili-speaking countries including Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique, where Islam and Swahili culture intersect.

Omari has grown in popularity in the United States, particularly in African American communities, as parents increasingly embrace names with African and Arabic roots that connect to the broader African diaspora. Actor Omari Hardwick, known for the Starz series Power, raised the name's profile significantly in the 2010s.

In Islamic tradition, Umar ibn al-Khattab was the second Caliph of Islam and a towering figure in Islamic history, known for his justice and expansion of the caliphate. The Swahili form Omari thus carries both East African cultural identity and deep Islamic historical significance.

Fun Facts

Umar ibn al-Khattab, the Arabic source of Omari, was the second Caliph of Islam and is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Islamic history
Omari is consistently among the top baby names in Tanzania and other Swahili-speaking countries

Omari in Other Languages

Arabic عمر (Umar/Omar)

French Omar

Spanish Omar

Swahili Omari

Turkish Ömer

Famous People Named Omari

Omari Spellman

Athlete

1997

American professional basketball player who played in the NBA for teams including the Golden State Warriors and Chicago ...

American professional basketball player who played in the NBA for teams including the Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls

Omari Hardwick

Actor

1974

American actor best known for playing James St. Patrick in the Starz drama series Power (2014–2020)

Umar ibn al-Khattab

Religious

584

The second Caliph of Islam (634–644 AD), one of the most influential figures in Islamic history, whose name became Omari...

The second Caliph of Islam (634–644 AD), one of the most influential figures in Islamic history, whose name became Omari through Swahili

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #619
Total SSA Count: 461
Cultural Origins: Swahili-speaking African Arabic American African American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Omar #260 Omarion #2604

Common Nicknames

Omar

Pairs Well With

Omari James Omari Alexander Omari David Omari Marcus Omari Isaiah Omari Elijah Omari Darius

Sibling Names

Amara Zara Elijah Isaiah Aaliyah Amani Zuri

Also a Girl Name

Omari is also used as a girl name, ranked #59096.

View Omari as a girl name →

Similar Names

Omer Lamar Amor Umar Amir Amar Anwar Emir

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Omari and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Omari sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more boy names →

Explore 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

Frequently Asked Questions About Omari

What does the name Omari mean?

"God the highest (variant interpretation)" (from Arabic). Omari is the Swahili form of the Arabic name Omar (Umar), derived from the Arabic root amara meaning 'to flourish, to thrive, to populate.' The name carries the connotation of a vibrant, populous life — someone who brings prosperity and liveliness. In East Africa, Omari is a common name in Swahili-speaking countries including Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique, where Islam and Swahili culture intersect.

What is the origin of the name Omari?

Omari has Arabic, Swahili-speaking African, American, and African American origins. In Arabic, it means "God the highest (variant interpretation)".

Is Omari a boy or girl name?

Omari is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #619. As a girl name, it is ranked #59096. Omari is more commonly used as a boy name.

How popular is the name Omari?

Omari is currently ranked #619 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Omari?

Common nicknames for Omari include Omar.

What are good middle names for Omari?

Popular middle name pairings include Omari James, Omari Alexander, Omari David, Omari Marcus, Omari Isaiah, Omari Elijah, and Omari Darius.

What are good sibling names for Omari?

Names that pair well with Omari as siblings include Amara, Zara, Elijah, Isaiah, Aaliyah, Amani, and Zuri.

How many syllables does Omari have?

Omari has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Omari a common or rare name?

Omari is moderately common, ranked #619 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Omari

Omari is a boy name with Swahili-speaking African, Arabic, American, and African American origins . The name means "God the highest (variant interpretation)" in Arabic .

Is Omari a boy or girl name? Omari is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #619 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #59,096. Omari is more commonly used as a boy name.

Omari is currently ranked #619 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Omari has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Omari include Omar. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Omari include Omar, Omarion . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.