"beautiful, good, fine"
Origin: Swahili (Bantu)
Language: Swahili
Zuri
Pronunciation: [ z-OOR-ee ]
Girl Name
#277 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
Beautiful in every language — Swahili's gift to global naming
East African
Swahili-speaking
American
Modern
Bold
Unique
Earthy
Spiritual
Meaning & Origin
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.
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
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
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
Pairs Well With
Zuri Rose
Zuri Amara
Zuri Jade
Zuri Grace
Zuri Simone
Zuri Amani
Zuri Belle
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Zuri is also used as a boy name, ranked #4613.
View Zuri as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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 common nicknames for Zuri?
Common nicknames for Zuri include Zu.
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.
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.