Jabari
Meaningbrave, fearless · Swahili
Jabari is an African boy name meaning “brave, fearless”, with Swahili roots. Swahili names are often chosen for a quality or a blessing parents wish for their child. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Jabari has the name Ari hiding inside it.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Jabari would score 15 points, thanks largely to the J (worth 8).
- GenerationJabari peaked in 2006, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Jabari you'd meet today is about 19 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Jabari would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 9,930 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryJabari first shows up in US birth records in 1971, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 54 years since.
- Where it's lovedWant to meet a lot of Jabaris? Head to Maryland, where it's the #389 boy name, its best showing of any state.
US births per million boys, 1971–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Jabari
Jabari is a boy name of African origin meaning “brave, fearless”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It hit its peak in the 2000s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:African names
More African boy names
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Boy name: Omari · long-lived
- Boy name: Ermias · form of Jeremiah
- Boy name: Paulo · small
- Unisex name: Amani · peace
- Boy name: Ramses · born of Ra
Questions about the name Jabari
What does the name Jabari mean?
Jabari means “brave, fearless” and comes from Swahili. Names built around “brave” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Wyatt (“brave in war”), Everett (“brave as a boar”), Leonardo (“brave as a lion”) and Richard (“brave ruler”).
What is the origin of the name Jabari?
Jabari is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Swahili. Other African names to consider are Cairo (“the victorious”), Asa (“healer”), Zaire (“river”) and Omari (“long-lived”).
Is Jabari a boy or girl name?
Jabari is a boy name. In 2025, 172 US boys were named Jabari.
How popular is the name Jabari?
Jabari ranked #1,188 for US boys in 2025, given to 172 babies. Its best year was 2006, when it reached #608. Over the last five years it has slipped 246 places.
What names are similar to Jabari?
If you like Jabari, you might also like Wyatt, Everett, Leonardo and Richard.
What should I know before naming my baby Jabari?
Jabari is an African boy name meaning “brave, fearless”, with Swahili roots. Swahili names are often chosen for a quality or a blessing parents wish for their child. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.