"beautiful, good, fine"
Origin: Swahili (Bantu)
Language: Swahili
Zuri
Pronunciation: [ z-OOR-ee ]
Does Zuri flow with your last name?
Beautiful in every language — Swahili's gift to global naming
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The Story of Zuri
Zuri comes from the Swahili word zuri, meaning beautiful, good, or fine. Swahili (Kiswahili) is a Bantu language spoken by over 200 million people across East and Central Africa, making it one of the most widely spoken languages on the African continent. It is the official language of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Zuri reflects the Swahili-speaking world's rich tradition of names that describe positive qualities.
Zuri has gained rapid popularity in the US since the 2010s, driven by the increased visibility of African and African-American cultural names. Disney Channel's series Jessie and its spin-off Bunk'd featured Zuri Ross as a main character, bringing the name to millions of young viewers. Black Panther (2018) also featured a character named Zuri, cementing its presence in popular culture.
In Swahili-speaking East African cultures, names with positive meanings like beautiful or good are traditional and common. Zuri fits into a broader naming pattern of Swahili adjective-names like Amani (peace), Imani (faith), and Furaha (joy). As African-influenced names gain acceptance worldwide, Zuri stands out for its beauty, simplicity, and clear meaning.
Historical Record
Zuri first appeared in US Social Security records in 1971.
Over 15,895 babies have been named Zuri in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Zuri is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #277 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Zuri is one of the most common Swahili adjectives, used daily by over 200 million speakers across Africa
- The character Zuri Ross in Disney's Jessie (2011-2015) was one of the first prominent African-American child characters on Disney Channel
- Swahili is unique among major African languages in having a large body of classical literature dating back to the 14th century CE
Zuri in Other Languages
Arabic
Zuri
French
Zuri
Spanish
Zuri
Swahili
Zuri
Popularity Over Time
#277
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Zuri
Z
Zuri Hall
Other
1987
American television host and journalist, known for her work on Access Hollywood and E! News
Z
Zuri Ross Fictional
Other
Precocious young girl from Uganda adopted by a New York socialite, central character in Disney's Jessie (2011-2015) and ...
Precocious young girl from Uganda adopted by a New York socialite, central character in Disney's Jessie (2011-2015) and Bunk'd (2015-present)
Z
Zuri Fictional
Other
Elder and keeper of traditions in Ryan Coogler's Black Panther (2018), played by Forest Whitaker
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #277
- Total SSA Count
- 1,140
- Cultural Origins
- East African Swahili-speaking American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Zu
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Zuri
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Zuri is also used as a boy name, ranked #4613.
View Zuri as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Zuri
What does the name Zuri mean?
"beautiful, good, fine" (from Swahili (Bantu)). Zuri comes from the Swahili word zuri, meaning beautiful, good, or fine. Swahili (Kiswahili) is a Bantu language spoken by over 200 million people across East and Central Africa, making it one of the most widely spoken languages on the African continent. It is the official language of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Zuri reflects the Swahili-speaking world's rich tradition of names that describe positive qualities.
What is the origin of the name Zuri?
Zuri has Swahili (Bantu), East African, Swahili-speaking, and American origins. In Swahili (Bantu), it means "beautiful, good, fine".
Is Zuri a boy or girl name?
Zuri is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #277. As a boy name, it is ranked #4613. Zuri is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Zuri?
Zuri is pronounced z-OOR-ee.
How popular is the name Zuri?
Zuri is currently ranked #277 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Zuri?
Popular middle name pairings include Zuri Rose, Zuri Amara, Zuri Jade, Zuri Grace, Zuri Simone, Zuri Amani, and Zuri Belle.
What are good sibling names for Zuri?
Names that pair well with Zuri as siblings include Amara, Nia, Kofi, Ade, Imani, Zola, and Kwame.
How many syllables does Zuri have?
Zuri has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Zuri a common or rare name?
Zuri is a popular name, ranked #277 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Zuri?
About the Name Zuri
Zuri is a girl name with East African, Swahili-speaking, and American origins . The name means "beautiful, good, fine" in Swahili (Bantu) .
Is Zuri a boy or girl name? Zuri is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #277 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #4,613. Zuri is more commonly used as a girl name.
Zuri is currently ranked #277 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Zuri has 2 syllables and is pronounced z-OOR-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Zuri include Zu. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Zuri include Zuriah, Zuriyah, Zury . 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