Given name & surname
Mahari
“one who offers forgiveness”·“a forgiving man”
Mahari is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “one who offers forgiveness” (African) and “a forgiving man” (African). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “one who offers forgiveness” (African) and “a forgiving man” (African). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is African.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1997. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Mahari through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 727
- 330 boys · 397 girls
- Most popular year
- 2025
- 67 babies
- 2025
- 67
- #3,284 for boys · #4,512 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +3%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 36 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 3,284 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 41.5% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. It also appeared in 31 birth records for girls in 2025. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (5). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 450 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Mahari’s family of names
Mahari has a related form in Maharae. Mahari has a related form in Maharai. Mahari has a related form in Maharea.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 7
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Mahari, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Amadi
“one who rejoices”
63% boys · 37% girls
Kimoni
“a great man”
57% boys · 43% girls
Audi
“the last daughter born”
43% boys · 57% girls
Adama
“a beautiful child; regal and majestic”
41% boys · 59% girls
Olamide
“our son is our prosperity”
62% boys · 38% girls
Akari
61% boys · 39% girls
Aza
“one who provides comfort” · “powerful”
27% boys · 73% girls
Azariah
“one who is helped by God”
52% boys · 48% girls