What Does the Name Amari Mean?
Amari is most often defined as "strength" or "builder," from the West African Yoruba language. It also has a separate Hebrew root, from amar, giving it the meaning "promised by God" or "eternal" in that tradition.
The Origin & History of Amari
Amari has independent roots across several language traditions -- Yoruba, Hebrew, and Arabic (where it can relate to "moon") -- which is common for short, vowel-based names that sound similar across unrelated languages. Its rise as an American given name reflects a broader embrace of Yoruba- and West African-rooted names.
Cultural Reach
Amari is genuinely unisex in current US data, with meaningful numbers of both boys and girls given the name each year -- more common for boys overall, but far from rare for girls, putting it in similar territory to Emerson and Sage.
Famous People Named Amari
Notable bearers include Amari Cooper, the American football wide receiver who has played in multiple Pro Bowls in the NFL.
Nicknames & Variations
Amari is typically used as a complete name without shortening. Related forms include Amare, Amara, and Amaria.
Is Amari a Good Name in 2026?
Amari works well for parents who want a genuinely unisex name with real roots in multiple cultures, along with a strong, meaningful definition.